03/14/10

Welcome to the World

Little Molly Marie Ross

You are going to have a beautiful life!

Weekend Update

Just got back from a buying show in Edmonton, found a few fun new things for spring. If all goes well we should be getting Sanuk yoga mat sandals in, super comfy. Also some new designs of Babylegs, Soother clips, Miracle Milk Bibs and Plush Pocket Blankets.

We're doing some painting around the store to freshen things up a bit. Check out the reception area by Mark's office--so slick! I will have to take pictures to show you--a really nice spring green with black trim. I'll have to get the paint names from Carol also! The Plumbing display units are next, we've got the colors all lined up.

All the new spring and garden merchandise is starting to roll in, including our new Spring glossy flyer, available in store. Same goes for the spring Home at Home magazine, get them while they're hot!

Random musings from Edmonton:

-Barista at Starbucks calling out orders, pronoucing latte as LATT-eh? and misto as MISSED-oh.
-Earls serving a man next to us a rum and coke, with the rum on the rocks in a glass, and the coke in a mini side carafe (like they serve wine in). Everyone was thoroughly confused... is that supposed to make it more classy or something?
-NO WINS on Roll up the rim yet!
-Took my Gido (grandpa) a Dark Cherry Mocha for a surprise and EVERYONE in his senior's complex said "Oh, you brought me my coffee!" I guess next time we should bring enough for everyone!
-Sarah and I are born grazers. We can barely finish one meal we split, but yet are starving an hour later. Enter Yogen Fruz. So good, so glad it's back and upped it's game.
-I'm excited for daylight savings time to begin because Hannah has been waking up too early, thus, I will once again be able to wake up at a semi-normal hour when we spring forward one hour tonight.

St Patty's Day Treats

Yum. For St Patrick's Day, as a kid, another favorite treat was when my Mom made green Rice Krispie Squares. As an adult, it looks a little .. well.. green, but as a kid it was totally cool. This isn't my picture (it's a little TOO green, ours were more pale) but it is something you can try for fun. Even if you are all grown up, EVERYONE loves Rice Krispie Squares.

Worx Hand Cleaner

A simple way to stay healthy - A simple way to contribute to a clean environment.

Most cost-effective and powerful industrial hand cleaner, plus consumer- and environmentally-safer!

WORX^TM revolutionary All-Natural hand cleaner removes stubborn stains, dirt, grease, and grime from the dirtiest hands. Simply wet one hand, apply WORX^TM powder, wet the other hand, scrub, and rinse thoroughly. WORX^TM concentrated powder comes in a variety of easy-to-use containers. Use WORX^TM All-Natural hand cleaner and notice an immediate difference.

Conditions While It Cleans!

WORX^TM revolutionary hand cleaners condition the skin while biodegradable cleaning agents are at work. WORX^TM reduces or completely eliminates rashes and skin irritations associated with solvent based cleaners. As WORX^TM does not contain harmful or abrasive ingredients that damage the skin, the need for additional conditioning products is eliminated.

To Use: Simply wet hands completely without shaking off the excess water. Apply a small amount (our dispensers will give the correct amount) and rub hands to form a lather. After vigorous washing, rinse hands thoroughly to ensure that all excess product has been removed.

Cleans and Conditions Removes Odors Easy-to-use Will not Clog Drains

WORX^TM Effectively Removes:

Printer's Ink Agricultural Dirt Fresh Paint Carbon

Mechanic's Grease Oil Primers Soot

Industrial Grease & Grime Pine Tar Wood Stains Foul Odors

and Much More..

Shamrock Shakes

As a kid, I used to LOVE Shamrock Shakes at McDonald's. However, in my adulthood they have come and gone, sometimes here, sometimes not.

I love MINT. Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream is my favorite (it has to be green, with mini chocolate chips, not chocolate shavings and NOT white) and I love Tasty Mints--my Dad always used to make me feel bad by saying they taste like toothpaste.

Well, now my daughter, at the tender age of 20 months, loves mint too, go figure.

If you, too, are nostalgic for Shamrock Shakes, here is a homemade version. Maybe my Dad will make it for me ;)

McDonald's Shamrock Shakes

2 cups vanilla ice cream
1 cup milk
1/4 cup half and half
1/4 teaspoon MINT extract (not peppermint)
8 drops green food coloring

Mix all ingredients on high speed until smooth. Stop blender, stir and blend
again, if necessary to combine ingredients. Makes 2 − 12 oz. shakes.

These knives are amazing

My Mom had a reputation for having the dullest knives around. I am not really sure why, they all were just really awful. We make most of our holiday meals at her place so all the slicing and dicing was slow and painful.

Finally she upgraded to these knives, and fell so in love she got a set for all of us. They are FANTASTIC. I have Henkels knives, and I now regularly reach over those for one of these, particularly the chef knife which is a dream. They are so sharp, and are weighted perfectly. Even my Aunt and Uncle, who have uber-expensive knives they brought back from Europe, love these knives. You simply must try them.

You don't even realize how dull and lifeless your knives are until you use a good knife. Have I convinced you yet? ;)

Knife Set With Block

• - Set contains the following knives:
  One 3.5" paring knife (2.0mm blade thickness)
  One 6" utility knife (2.5mm blade thickness)
  One 7" santoku knife (2.5mm blade thickness)
• - All the knives have NSF certificate
• - Blade material is German steel
• - Stone grinding finish
• - Half tang design
• - Black Santoprene ergonomic handles
• - Wooden block is 6.5" diameter x 2.5" wide x 7.5"
  high in size for a sleek elegant presentation
• - Black paint on wooden block provides water
  resistance

• $ 59.97

PVR

Can you believe TVs used to have knobs?! We will tell our children, they used to be black and white (yes, I had a black and white when we were kids!) and have round knobs and tall ears sticking up!

Ok, I think the PVR is the greatest invention ever. The ability to pause, rewind, skip commercials has changed my life.

I was looking at what we have recorded and it was quite a funny selection. I thought I would share. Granted, these are the shows I am not caught up on (or some that are permanently saved) not all the shows I watch. Some are watched and deleted already, but this isn't a game about what I watch, just what is currently sitting on there.

In order:

Parenthood (new, just debuted tonight. Has Nate from Six Feet Under in it, so I hope it will be good)
16 and Pregnant (I love this series, and the "sequel," Teen Mom.)
American Idol
Access Hollywood
Dr. Oz
Jimmy Kimmel Live (because they were announcing something on it I wanted to hear, don't normally catch that show)
Project Runway (kind of getting boring now, I just skip to the end to see the fashion show)
How I Met Your Mother (love it, one of the few shows Jeff will watch with me)
Marriage Ref (also new)
The Good Wife (new this year, really intriguing)
Undercover Boss (haven't watched it yet, heard about it on Oprah)
Helicopter Wars
Deadliest Catch
Sesame Street
Family Guy
30 Rock
House
Shark Tank
Lidia's Italy (Italian cooking show)
Oprah (the one with Micheal Pollan)
Nature of Things (about honey bees, which I love)
The Wiggles (in case Hannah likes the music. So far, not so much)
My Friends Tigger and Pooh
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
Two and a Half Men (haven't watched it in a long time, but have them saved in case I am sick one day and need something to entertain me)
Fight Quest (? Something of Jeff's, I have no idea)
Padma Yoga
Breathing Space Yoga (I taped a bunch of episodes of each, so I don't have to get up at 6am and also it is like having 30 dvds!)
Change Your Brain, Change Your Life (PBS Special, haven't watched it yet)
The Bachelor (1 minute, because my sister's commercial is on it)
The Doctors (same thing)

What is on your PVR? Do you have one? If not you MUST! It is a life saver!

Now Hiring!

We are currently accepting applications for several positions. Please fill out an application form at front cash (attach a resume if you have one, but please complete the application form in full. You can print out an application form here.)

*All jobs require that you work Saturdays.*

We offer a positive, exciting, family working environment with excellent co-workers and great customers. You receive on-going training, comprehensive benefits (full-time staff) and a generous 20% staff discount. No early mornings, late nights, Sundays or holidays.

We are looking for candidates with a positive, professional attitude to assist our customers with their purchases. Join a great team and work in one of these exciting departments, with room to move up within the company.

Gingersnaps Coffee Shop
When this little shop is busy, it's busy! Job includes preparing and serving specialty coffees, snacks and light lunch items, and occasionally helping on the sales floor. Must be comfortable with computer use. Please ask to speak with Heather or Sarah

Cashiers
If you love people, than this is the job for you! Work with an excellent team of cashiers doing one of the most important jobs in the store. We are looking for positive, enthusiastic people to join this team. As a cashier, you are the first and last impression for our great customers. One of the bonuses of being a cashier at HH is that you aren't chained to the cash desk--oftentimes our cashiers venture out onto the floor to help with various projects, or even do them at their stations. We guarantee you won't be bored!


Contract Salesperson
We are currently looking for a salesman that will focus and work with our contractors to help them with design take offs, estimates, and general sales inquires. Applicants must have a strong knowledge in the lumber industry and have experience with computers. If you’re looking for a exciting job with our Lumber and Building Materials Team come and apply today and speak with David.

Positions also available in lumber, yard and Garden!

If the position you are interested in is not listed, apply anyway! We are always looking for great new people to join our award-winning team!

Happy Birthday Lori & David!

Happy Birthday to twins Lori & David Rurka who turn 24 today! Have a great birthday you two!

March Tea of the Month

Vanilla Cream

An Exotic Dessert Tea for Special Occasions, indeed a decadent as well as a synergistic tea! Must be the top quality Ceylon Tea that is used! This tea is designed for special occasions as well as being a dessert tea – but most drink it all the time because its taste is so delectable. We know that vanilla is reported to have the ability to calm the nerves and lift the spirit as well as allegedly improving the romantic aspect of one's life.


Not only is vanilla a flavor that is full of mystery and elusiveness, but it is also highly prized. Combine the exotic character of vanilla with a velvet cream taste and you end up with the 'Cadillac' of flavored teas!

Enjoy a cup of loose leaf tea brewed just for you! Special Tea of the Month Price 1.68

Easy Remodeling with HomeWorks!

HomeWorks Remodeling Software DVD $29.97 each.

Take the guesswork out of home remodeling! HomeWorks lets you apply new colours, flooring, siding, roofing, windows, doors and many other building products to actual photos of your OWN home. See the full potential of your renovations BEFORE you lift a hammer.

Virtual Remodeling in 3 Easy Steps:

Import a picture from a digital camera, scanner or CD

Define areas to be remodeled with the easy to use tools

Apply unlimited combinations of siding, roofing, flooring, doors, windows and Beauti-Tone paint

From paint and flooring to windows and doors this software is a complete digital library of over 5000, of Home's supported and available products

English and French version on one DVD

Click Here for a preview or click here for an online demo

Coffee or Tea Press on the Go

New from Planetary Designs--a travel mug with a built-in french press! Finally, a travel friendly way to enjoy fresh pressed coffee or loose leaf tea! One the best features about these cups is the fine-mesh filter through the drinking hole--guaranteed to catch any wayward coffee grounds or tea leaves so they stay in the cup. Brilliant!

The lower design (travel cup) also has a compartment in the bottom to store your tea or coffee to make another cup later. The upper design leaves room for a few more ounces for those of you that enjoy an extra large cup.

I LOVE IT. I received this cup as a gift a few years ago and finally tracked them down to bring them to you!

If you've never tried your coffee in a french press, you simply must. Also this is SO EASY to make your own portion without firing up the old coffee maker (or a solution for you at work if you aren't as lucky as we are with such delicious coffee brewing all day in Gingersnaps! Bring your own grounds and do it yourself). AND, if you are getting hooked on loose leaf tea, this is an excellent way to enjoy it.

Additional details:

• Constructed of double-walled, 18/8 restaurant-grade stainless steel
• Patented plunger press and ultra-fine, stainless steel mesh screen
• High gloss, scratch-resistant finish
• Top-shelf dishwasher safe
• 14 oz. capacity, 6 3/4"H. (travel mug) 20 oz. capacity, 6 3/4" H (desk top mug)
  

My Little Seat, Baby's First Toothbrush, Keep It Kleen Pacifier and more

New in Baby, the Keep-it-Kleen Pacifier by RazBaby

- The Keep it Kleen Pacifier is cleaner and healthier for Baby.

- Razbaby Keep it Kleen Pacifier is the ONLY pacifier that closes INSTANTLY when it drops.

- The Keep it Kleen sheilds close so pacifier can be stored with confidence.

- Razbaby sheilds are built in! no more lost pacifier covers!

- Keep it Kleen is an orthodontic silicone pacifier for babies who are 0-36 months old.

Mama, What's in there?

This is what a little bear, a young dolphin, and a sweet little boy are wondering about their mamas’ big, pregnant tummies. Simple flaps on the mothers’ bellies reveal the babies inside. Tabs and wheels let children make the baby dolphin swim, the puppy pant, the human infant suck his thumb, and more—in utero! This unique book reveals the amazing things that animal and human babies do in preparation for life.


Lots of other new things in the baby department including My Little Seat. A little seat that attaches to all types of chairs so everyone can have a seat at the table! Perfect for travel (it comes with it's own matching bag) and suitable for babies 6-30 months.


Also new is the Angel Care Baby's First Toothbrush.
The dentist-designed Angel Brush toothbrush uses an innovative soft, silicone design, made with tiny bristles which massage baby's gums.

* Reduces harmful bacteria
* Removes plaque, sugar, starches and other foods that can cause tooth decay and gingivitis
* Can also be used as a teething ring or pacifier
* 100% silicone
* PVC free
* Soft, safe, convenient to use, and easy to clean

Biting is easier, cleaner, safer and more comfortable than a toothbrush. Kids can do it themselves (with your supervision of course). Cleans teeth, massages gums and soothes teething gums with its soft bristles on each side. Each bite cleans all three sides of 10 top and bottom teeth at the same time! The only multi-use toothbrush for infants and young children from 3 months to 5 years old.

New Robeez!

HUGE new shipment of Robeez just arrived! Tons of adorable new styles, and sandals in both soft sole and mini-shoes (in case you are jetting off to a hot spot for March break!)

A lot of the new styles are coming in boxes now instead of the clear bag, and the boxes are GREAT. Love them.

To see more of the new styles, check out the Robeez website.

So many exciting things this week!

Bring home bright ideas and great savings on fixtures, faucets and more during the Plumbing, Heating and Electrical Sale. Click image above for a link to the flyer.

Make something great! Fill your toolbox with $1,000 of Stanley tools or any product available at Home Hardware. 10 Home Hardware gift cards to be won! Contest closes March 6, 2010. Click image above for contest link.

And, Save 10% with Homecard! Apply for a new Homecard today and you can save 10%* (Maximum savings $100.00) on your first Homecard purchase! *Offer valid on consumer accounts only. Click image above for full details.

Buncha Farmers Stain Remover

Buncha Farmers All Natural, Biodegradable Stain Remover is made with all natural, biodegradable ingredients, and enhanced with borax to soften the water and aid in the cleansing process. No artificial dyes or perfumes. Colour safe and hypoallergenic. Simply wet the stick, rub it on the stain and then launder as usual. This Canadian-made product was designed by moms and is natural enough for your baby's sensitive skin.

Works wonders on grass, grease, red wine, blood, ink, ring around the collar, underarm staines, berry juice, ketchup, and much more! Whatever your little one gets into, this product can handle it!

The packaging's not fancy, but this stuff works--give it a try!

An easy Valentine Dessert

Our friends at McLeod Home Building Centre in Spruce Grove, AB sent us along a virtual cookbook of famous recipes. Below is one I figure is a simple valentine's dessert that the boys can make for the ladies in their lives. My Dad loves Cracker Barrel, my husband & father-in-law love cherry pie filling, so I dedicate this post to them ;)

Not fancy by any means, but probably tastes super sweet and chocolately, perfect for a treat.

"Cracker Barrel" Cherry Chocolate Cobbler
1−1/2 cups flour
1/2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cups butter
1 (6 oz.) pkg. semi−sweet chocolate chips
1/4 cups milk
1 egg
1 (21 oz.) can cherry pie filling
1/2 cups nuts, finely chopped

Preheat oven to 350F. In large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking
powder, salt and butter; cut with pastry blender until crumbs are
size of large peas. Melt chocolate chips over hot (not boiling) water.
Remove from heat and cool slightly at room temperature (about 5 minutes).

Add milk and egg to melted chocolate and mix well.
Blend chocolate into flour mixture.
Spread cherry pie filling in bottom of 2 quart casserole. Drop chocolate
batter randomly over cherries. Sprinkle with chopped nuts.

Bake at 350 F for 40 − 45 minutes. Serve warm with heavy cream.

February Candle of the Month

There is no candle of the month this month, rather an assortment of fragrances on sale.
Some of these scents are discontinued so this is your last chance to grab them!

Watch for some new scents arriving soon, including Pink Cherry Blossom and Cactus Flower!

Valentine's Treats for Grown Ups

A decadent but easy treat for two is baked brie. We carry a few different brie bakers (including the stainless steel one, above, which is also safe for use on the grill) but you can also bake brie in any kind of casserole dish. Brie is delicious baked on it's own, or with an assortment of toppings (a delicious dessert option is just brie, topped with brown sugar and sliced almonds.)

For Valentine's Day, why not spice it up with some hot pepper jelly?

Baked Brie with Hot Pepper Jelly

Preheat oven to 180 C (350 F)

TO PREPARE THE BRIE: Remove top rind of cheese, leaving rind on sides and bottom in tact. Place brie, cut side up, in Brie Baker.

DIRECTIONS: Top prepared brie with 125 ml (1/2 cup) Hot Pepper Jelly.

Place Brie Baker, without putting the lid on, in center of hot oven for 15 minutes.

Remove from oven (with oven mitts) & put Brie Baker cover on Baker to keep baked brie warm and soft until ready to serve. Place hot Brie Baker on a serving platter and surround with toasted baguette slices. Remove lid just before eating.

For something even easier, try one of our baked brie toppings, such as Cranberry Almond or Maple Walnut. Try serving with slices of apple or pear and an assortment of breads or crackers.

February Tea of the Month

The Provence Rooibos is a top grade herbal tea from South Africa. This delicious tea includes Rooibos, rosehip shells, dried black currants, rose leaves, lavender, raisins, dried red currants, rose petals, and dried blueberries.

Rooibos, meaning Red Bush in Afrikaans, is grown at the altitude of 2000 feet above sea level in the Cedarberg region. Fermentation of the Rooibos turns the leaves from green to deep red and gives a slight sweet note. When brewed this tea produces a reddish orange liquid with a sweet fruity taste and a floral aroma.

Enjoy a cup of loose leaf tea freshly brewed for you!!! Special Tea of the Month price $1.68

PS--This is a red tea, for Valentine's Day. Why not share a pot with someone you love?

Dry prairie winters...

Winter is the season for humidifiers in most areas of the country, but especially here in the prairies. Whether you use gas or electric heat, the air from your furnace will not only keep you warm, it will dry out the air in your home. Humidifiers, by sending small molecules of moisture into the air, can help keep you healthier but also extend the life of your furniture.

The benefits of humidifiers during the heating season are many. The most common are listed below.

1. Can help relieve cold symptoms by making the air you breath moist, which helps keep your lungs more elastic.
2. Reduce susceptibility to infection by keeping the mucus membranes of your throat and nasal passages moist allowing the tiny hairs (cilia) in both to work at expelling foreign objects such as mold, pet dander and bacteria.
3. Relieve and prevent dry, scratchy skin and lips.
4. Keep valuable wood furniture from drying out and cracking.
5. Reduce static electricity, thus reducing the tiny shocks received from touching certain objects and other people.
6. Can help prevent wood floors from buckling and separating.
7. Reduce nosebleeds, as the air you breathe is moist.

We use this puppy, above, at our house. It is easier to fill, and we turn it on at night when we go to bed (helps avoid that "wake up in the middle of the night and can't swallow cause my throat is so dry" feeling.) How dry is our house? We fill up the humidifier every night! Details on it below:

-Humidifies medium rooms
- Easy to fill: clear, removable water tank
- Easy to clean: rinse-to-clean base
- Automatic moisture balance system: naturally adjusts output for maximum comfort and helps prevent water condensation
- Two moisture output settings: high/low
- Continuous cleaning filter pad: traps impurities
- No white dust
- 3 year limited warranty
- Replacement filter HH #3838-280

Great Bathroom Update Suggestions

This article appeared in Thursday's Edmonton Journal and is full of great info for quick and inexpensive updates for your bathroom, a perfect February project. And you'll notice our Porcelain Tub Treatment is mentioned!

Fresh paint, new hardware change the look without breaking the bank

By Karen Turner, Ottawa Citizen; Canwest News ServiceJanuary 28, 2010

Can't afford to gut your ensuite and install a luxurious spa retreat?

Breathing new life into a tired bathroom doesn't have to cost thousands of dollars and take weeks of messy renovation. Here are 10 easy and affordable ways to improve your bathroom's look and efficiency without breaking the bank:

- -Lighting: Bye-bye, ugly light bar above the mirror and hello sleek, streamlined wall sconces. "Updating the lighting is a quick and easy way to rejuvenate a bathroom," says designer Dean Large. Besides adding a stylish look to the room, he says fixtures on either side of the mirror provide more even light, which is useful when applying makeup or shaving.

Cost: from $200

- -New faucet: Often referred to as the jewels of the bathroom, replacing old taps with gleaming new faucets gives a custom, personalized look to the bathroom. The hot, new trend is square, angular, single-lever faucets in white or black matte finishes.

Cost: $100 to $1,100

- -Adjustable shower: A rain shower head may be relaxing, but not a practical choice for daily use because it doesn't provide enough water pressure. Large recommends pairing a fixed shower head on an adjustable bar -- to accommodate the heights of all family members -- with a handheld shower to make it easy to wash down the tub or rinse off your legs.

Cost: from $200

- -Bathtub liner: If your bathroom is a throwback to the 1960s, the tub is likely a gaudy dusty rose, mint green or mocha beige. Rather than rip out it and all the surrounding tile, Bath Fitter ( bathfitter.com)sells a moulded, acrylic tub and wall liner that fits right over the existing eyesore. The best part: it can be installed in a day.

Cost: $2,200 to $3,200, depending on style, colour and ceiling height

- -Anti-slip protection: Rubber bath mats are designed to prevent nasty spills in the tub or shower, but they're also a breeding ground for mould and bacteria. The Porcelain Tub Treatment from Home Hardware is a liquid you apply to the bottom of the tub or shower to make it slip-resistant.

Cost: $19.97 for one-application kit

- -Quality flush: To save money on your water bill, get rid of that clunky, water-guzzling toilet. Available in low-or dual-flush models, new toilets are smaller, sleeker and higher off the floor.

Cost: from $350 for low-flush; $450 for dual-flush

- -Fresh paint: To make a big impact for little money, try a splash of colour, says bath store owner Cyndie Carruthers. "A good coat of paint is a great place to start -- on the walls or the vanity."

Cost: $30 to $100

- -New hardware: Something as simple as installing new pulls or handles on the vanity can transform the look of the cabinet doors and drawers.

Cost: 99 cents to $20. Some stores, including Lee Valley Tools ( leevalley.com),offer discounts when you buy larger quantities.

- -Curved over straight: Gain extra elbow room in the shower by replacing the straight curtain rod with a curved one. "The shape of the rod gains about (23 centimetres) in the shower so you don't have to touch that slimy shower curtain," Carruthers says.

Cost: less than $50

- -Decorative tile: Dress up the shower wall with tumbled marble or replace the ugly backsplash behind the sink with tiny glass mosaics.

Cost: from as little as $1 a tile

© Copyright (c) The Edmonton Journal

Valentine's Gifts from Fruits and Passion

Chocolicious Gourmet Duo

This duo contains:

• Nourishing Butter for the body 250 g
• Nourishing Lip Butter 2 ml

Perhaps a foot rub is in order? And then a tasty kiss?
This mild glycerine soap leaves skin lightly scented with a subtle and effervescent apple fragrance. Something cute for a friend or to brighten up your bathroom.

This plant-based Foaming Bath is extremely gentle due to surfactants derived from sugar, which help create thick, stable foam.

• Biodegradable
  
• Natural and plant-derived ingredients - 86%
• Recyclable bottle
• Not tested on animals - no animal-source ingredients
• Enriched with ethically harvested authentic fruit extracts

Valentine's Treats Day for Kids

I think it's sweet to do cute things for Valentine's Day for your kids. Although my daughter is only 19 months old, I still plan on doing something special for her for Valentine's day. I remember when I was little, I woke up one Valentine's Day to find a little package of cinnamon hearts under my pillow.

We have a great assortment of heart shaped cookie cutters, cupcake/muffin pans and cake dishes at the store. You could also make heart shaped pancakes, sandwiches or even eggs for breakfast!

Another neat idea is fondue--chocolate fondue is really easy to make (and we have some really affordable chocolate fondue sets starting at around $12). Your husband or wife would enjoy this too!

This recipe, from Food Network Canada, is super cute. Make fruit skewers for dipping in chocolate fondue, peanut butter and jelly fondue and vanilla yogurt dipping sauce.

Yield: 6

Ingredients

Fruit Sticks with Chocolate Dipping Sauce

• 2/3 cup whipping cream (35%) (150ml)
• 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped (100g)

Vanilla Yogurt Dipping Sauce

• 1 cup plain yogurt (250ml)
• 1/4 cup maple syrup (65ml)
• 1 vanilla bean

Directions

Fruit Sticks with Chocolate Dipping Sauce

1. Thread 6-8 skewers with a variety of your favourite seasonal fresh fruit. Here are some suggestions: Strawberries, Green Grapes, Pineapple, Melon, Orange or Clementine Segments, Peaches, Pears, Apples, Bananas. For a treat, you could also include marshmallows or cubed pound cake.
2. Heat the cream in a saucepan set on low until just steaming. Stir in chocolate and continue to heat gently until it melts, about 2 minutes. Stir until smooth and transfer to a small fondue pot to keep warm. Serve with fruit skewers.

Peanut Butter & Jelly Chocolate Dipping Sauce

1. Following the basic chocolate sauce measurements and method above, whisk in 1/4 cup/50 mL each smooth peanut butter and strawberry jelly to the warmed cream when adding the chocolate. Heat until melted, stirring to incorporate additions.
   Tip: This recipe could easily be doubled. And remember, the better quality the chocolate, the better the sauce. But in a pinch, baking chocolate or even chocolate chips, works wonderfully. You could “soup up” the sauce by trying flavoured chocolates in place of the plain chocolate.

Vanilla Yogurt Dipping Sauce

1. In a bowl combine yogurt and maple syrup. Cut vanilla bean in half and scrape out seeds and add to yogurt mixture.
2. Serve with fresh or dried fruit.

   Makes 1.25 cups/175ml

Price Match Promise

Pop...pop....pop....

Mmmm cold days like this are perfect for popping corn. We offer a variety of popcorn machines, including our very popular hand-crank Snack Maker.

The Schneider's Theater II Snack Maker reaches 475° F, the same temperature as commercial poppers. The thru-the-handle stirring paddle keeps kernels moving and evenly heated. This prevents burning and 97% popping of extra-crispy popcorn. The steam escapes through the vents allowing the kernels to explode.

Did you Know Popcorn has:

• more protein than any other cereal grain;
• more iron than eggs, peanuts, spinach or roast beef;
• more phosphorous and fiber than potato chips, ice cream cones or pretzels.

And at 1 gram of fiber per cup it is similar to 1/2 cup of bran flakes or a large apple with skin.

Don't forget to spice it up with one of our flavored seasonings such as ketchup, dill pickle, salt & vinegar, nacho and 5 more! Yum! Sounds like a movie night in the making.

Update: Jeff and I finally bought one of these puppies after carrying them for years. OH MY it was the BEST popcorn ever! First of all, it was done in like 2 minutes flat and it all popped. Secondly, it was so soft and fluffy, the way popcorn was meant to be (not hard and dry and crunchy). It was melt in your mouth delicious. Jeff, a skeptic who did not want to even try it, was sold. He said it was the best popcorn of his life. PLUS, you can add Theatre Spice to the mix while popping, and then it tastes just like movie theatre popcorn. YUM!

Seeds for your little sprout

While flipping through the Edmonton Journal today I came across this article which talks about the lost art of sowing seeds. In it you will find tips on how to start seeds indoors (a fun little project to get past the winter doldrums).

Harking back to "simpler times" when the company was started in 1896, McKenzie says, "Everyone knew their neighbour, evening meals were about family time, and a dollar went further."

Growing your own vegetables and flowers from seed was all anyone had, says McKenzie. "Gardens were as much about survival as about enjoyment and beauty."

The article also mentions McKenzie Seeds new seed program for kids. Last year they brought us the little Jiffy Cups with gourds and other wonders, and this year they have expanded to include a whole line of seeds, designed to be appealing to children.

This series features an assortment of easy-to-grow vegetables and flowers in humorous packets with quirky titles and colourful, cartoon-style graphics.

There's Squash Moonbeam with a squash-head space alien in a flying saucer, Cucumber Green Dragon, featuring a happy green dragon in a vegetable patch, and Radish Rudolf, a reindeer with giant red radish for a nose.

Others in this imaginative seed series are Pumpkin Spookie, Carrot Little Finger, Cosmos Candy Stripe, Lettuce Tom Thumb, Pea Knight (a very cute peapod in a knight's helmet), Tomato Lady Bug, Bean Rattlesnake and Watermelon Moon and Stars,

McKenzie says that using these lively seed packages will start children on the road to learning more about where food comes from, as well as how to grow beautiful flowers.

I think these are super cute. And watching a seed grow is so neat for kids. I still remember watching a bean grow in paper towel in school. Hannah also has a favorite book, The Small Seed, which shows the progression from seed to sunflower. At the end, the sunflower grows right out of the book and she LOVES it.

Even if you have no intention of sowing seeds, it's fun to come in and browse. There are SO many varieties of food and flowers, and it's nice to dream of warmer days...

Mommy & Baby Days Sale

It's Mommy and Baby Days at Home Hardware, Jan 18-24th!

SAVE 20% or more on Robeez, Squeaky Shoes, Bearington, Baby Legs, Lamaze,

Bumbo, Books, Clothes, Toys, Gifts and Accessories

SAVE 30% on Robeez Boots, Stonz (boots, mitts and hats) & mimiTENS

SAVE 20% on Bella Bands, Maternity shirts and tanks, Preggy Pops,

Hooter Hiders & Ergo Baby Carriers

FREE Mommy Special Hot Chocolate for all Moms-to-Be!

January Sales Continue!

This week save:

40-75% off Select Silk Plants

50-75% off Select Art Prints

It was so, so nice out today and it is supposed to be tomorrow, too! Come by for our Tea for Two (a french press of loose leaf tea, enough for you and a friend) and check out our sale items and new arrivals!

Side note: we are reformatting our website, so please standby for some great new improvements!

Warm up at Gingersnaps!

Candle of the Month

Florals take a spicy twist with cinnamon and pink pepper. Patchouli, cedarwood and vanilla complete this jewel of a fragrance.

January's Candle of the Month is 25% Off!

January Tea of the Month

Tea of the Month

Popcorn Green Tea

~Japanese Style Tea – Genmaicha or brown rice tea is made by adding toasted rice kernels to Sencha or Bancha tea leaves. The result is a refreshing green tea with nutty flavours. The popcorn is just rice kernels which have popped during the roasting process~
Enjoy a cup of loose leaf tea freshly brewed for you!!!

Special Tea of the Month price
$1.68
SKU: TM (single serving)

PS--This tea is DELICIOUS. I can personally attest to it--it's not to strong, and is sure to be a new favorite. Green tea has numerous health benefits and is used for anti-aging, anti-cancer and even as a metabolism booster, as recommended by Dr. Oz.

Perhaps your New Year's Resolution should be to drink more green tea!