Sneak Peak

Hey there! Home Show is upon us! Karrie and I have been praying that everything comes - and,so far, it looks like all of it will come, except for one shipment. We are a little bummed about that, but, at least it will be here for Open House!
I snapped up some pictures for you of some of the new things!

So cool! I am REALLY liking the booth this year. Don't get me wrong, last years booth was neat, but this really represents us well this year! I've had a lot of you ask about the times of the Home Show, so I will just give you all the facts:

Friday, March 2nd 5pm-9pm
Saturday, March 3rd 12pm-8pm
Sunday, March 4th 12pm-4pm

Now, realize, that these are pictures that are a work in progress (thought maybe you'd like to see what happens "behind the scenes"), and it is not set in stone yet (notice the throw over top of the chair, the pictures setting on the throw - this will not be there! We are trying to be clever this year and Karrie's husband will be making us some sort of support to hang those lovely new pictures up on. Isn't the tray beautiful? We have another rectangular single tray in burgundy that is very becoming too! Don't you just love new stuff??!!! I'll be sure to snap some pictures up of the completed project this weekend for those of you who won't be able to make it. We are looking forward to seeing everyone, though! Although this is a long weekend for us, it really is so beneficial. Last year was so funny! We would have people walk by and see the sign and they would stop, putting their hand up to their mouth in amazement and wonder and look at us and say, "...so you're the ones we see in the paper all of the time.........I had no idea!" I can't even tell you how many people did that! This year we will have "The Girls" with us. I had a banner made with them and the logo on it. I can't wait until I pick it up! It will be so nice to have them with us! Can you believe that they haven't been with us a year yet? Karrie and I were talking about that yesterday, it seems like they have always been there!

So, I must ask, have you heard the Eagle 99 radio ad that Karrie and I did yet? Listen, it will be on this week through Saturday, then on in two more weeks. We had fun making it - although Karrie insists that she had the harder lines (she did!) but I act like I don't know what she is talking about - just like any sister would!
We are also venturing out and advertising on the Fremont News Messenger's web site. Let us know if you like the ad. Figuring out how to advertise is such a hassle guys! I wish that we didn't even need to bother with that - but that wouldn't be too good for business! Well, with the fun, you need to persist with the difficult!
Let us know what you think the best form of advertising is for you personally - what makes you sit up and take notice? Just thought I'd throw a little informal poll in there!

Well, I better get off the blog and get working on other things I need to finish before this weekend. Right now I am finishing up the Newsletter. We sent the first "issue" via email last month, and we had a really good response. We have information about what's happening, decorating tips and an ICC (Internet customer coupon) that is good for that month. If this is something that you would be interested in, let us know and I'll put you on. Either reply through the blog, or by emailing us at summerkitchen@sbcglobal.net.

Old Man Winter

You knew it would happen.....we couldn't have a balmy winter now could we??? Oh well, we've been fortunate haven't we?
Last week we had two school snow days, and this week we have had two, and are looking for another one tomorrow....perhaps!?
Since I am snowed in, I thought I'd snap some pictures for you. The one above is an iron snowman that I've had forever. It's been a while since his buttons have been covered in snow- two years to be exact! I've also included a shot of the park
across the street - I love living in my house. For living in the city, I have a great view that doesn't make me feel like I'm right next to two other homes! The last picture is of "Frosty". The kids went out this afternoon and tried their attempt at making a snowman. They have soooo been waiting for this! Well, there is more snow on the way, maybe it will be the serious snowman making kind!


Being home these few days makes a girl a little concerned about things in her house. I think that is why people are so ready to get out of the house and.....shop? I've been seeing all of these projects that I never finished, or that need to be done. Then I look at things that I put together quick when we moved
in....what was I thinking? So, last week I started and focused on the upstairs bathroom. I originally had a table clock and a topiary by the sink, but I was just plain tired of it - plus the clock had been dropped and chipped and.....you get the
picture! So, I took home one of our orchid plants. I have always loved this, but never knew where to put it. Guess what - I figured out where to put it! I love it! I love the color against the striped wallpaper, and I especially love the size with the size of my antique mirror. One thing done on my list! Since I didn't have a clock anymore, I needed something different. Wouldn't you know, we had a clock at the store that I have always loved, but have had no place for? It fits perfectly by the window, and is bigger, AND I don't have to worry that it will get knocked down.....maybe! I also took home the "Love You More!" sign. I think this is so neat. I wanted a place to put it, but I, again, wasn't sure where. Well, since the
Bathroom was the focus project last, and this week, I put it above the door in the bathroom. I figured it was something good to put in everyone's heads before they left the room for school, work, whatever. I wasn't sure if anyone would like it, but a couple minutes after I put it up, my daughter said "Hey Mom, I really like that love sign, it's pretty neat!" I guess it's a keeper!
Now that the bathroom is complete, I guess it's time to focus on another room - I'd love to do my bedroom next, new comforter, duvet, curtains....it's so hard finding something that you will love for the next 8 years (how old my duvet is right now), Something that is unique (don't see it all over Pottery Barn Catalogs), and survives the life of three kids and a dog, who ALWAYS find their way onto my bed! It's a dream....oh well, someday!

Well, when Old Man Winter comes, I guess we can be glad that Mrs. Winter comes along to get us thinking about our rooms, and what we can do to spruce them up! Aren't we lucky! Good luck with your winter projects, and "Hey Mrs. Winter, come back anytime!"

Double or nothing!

Thought I'd inform you first before the ad goes into the paper. This month, you can double your B.A.P. card points! Since it IS customer appreciation month, we wanted to give something to those customers who are not on our mailing list or our email club. For those of you who are not familiar with our Buyers Advantage Program - you get money back for spending money at The Summer Kitchen - just think of that!
Normally we give you $10 back for every $100 spent - so......spend $50 and get $10 back this month only! Your special B.A.P. card will expire on the 28th of this month!

Valentines Day is upon us, and if I don't get the chance, I want to wish you all a great day! Tell everyone special in your life how much you love them - - - so, before I forget "Hey girls, We love ya!" Do have a super week next week!

New items update -
Cookbooks from Gooseberry Patch, "Get Togethers". The pictures in it are all from Ohio.
They even feature a picture of our lovely Marblehead Lighthouse. This cookbook has great pictures, and delicious looking recipes (two great requirements for cookbooks!) Check them out!
We also got two other cookbooks: 500 Cookie Recipes and 500 Cupcake Recipes (they also meet the requirement!) Our signs came in, as well as some new Maggie B purses - very fun for spring!
Stop on in - as always, try one of our two teas we serve every day - and don't forget a valentine cookie while you shop!

Customer Appreciation Month

Hey everyone! Karrie and I are so excited! We have a lot of "pots on the burner" these days. If you are on the mailing list, you all got our "Sweetheart of a Deal" postcard this week, for Customer Appreciation Month. It has a great coupon on it - so be sure not to let it expire on you! You have until February 28th to use it, so, if there's something you want, you'd better snatch it up! There is also news of the Customer Appreciation Tea on there for February 18th, RSVP early! We have 6 seats reserved as of today, so hop on that - when you can!

We are proud to say that our first email has been launched! The February newsletter went out on Thursday morning. It will be so much fun to send these out. We can fit a whole lot more information, design tips, and pictures on there, than we could ever do on the postcards. If you are interested in getting the email Newsletter, let us know. You can email us at summerkitchen@sbcglobal.net and we will get you on the list. Eventually we'd like to cut our paper mailings by half, so we'd like to get as many of you as we can on our list.

Things are heating up at The Summer Kitchen. We are frantically trying to get everything in we need for the Sandusky County Home Show. The dates are March 2nd, 3rd and 4th. This show is so awesome! We hope to see you all! The vendors that belong to the Sandusky County Builders Association are really top-notch, and we'd recommend any of them! As usual, there is no charge for this show, and this year the association is giving out covers for your phone books, which will have all of the vendor's names and phone numbers on the front (including yours truly!) This year's booth will be something different than last years, we can't wait! Last year we had a cool looking booth, all in rust, golds, olives and such.....this year, well, it will have to be a surprise won't it?

This week we had our artwork come in. Gorgeous! I thought I'd show you the two biggest pictures that came in.........I absolutely love these! Look at the colors....... perfect in the kitchen, dining room, even the living room, these are striking! There are a lot of smaller pictures we ordered, by request from you. They are framed and matted so uniquely, people will notice!




Karrie has been a busy girl, creating things that I always want to take home with me - why does she do this to me? Anyway, everything is looking colorful and green - just what we like to see in the winter!
Well, I've got to get back to the Home Show plans. I'll post you all later!
Karla




By the way........
If your hungry for fish - The Helena Fire Department will be starting their annual Lenten Fish Fry on Friday, February 23rd from 4pm-7pm. It will be carry-out only - and well worth the visit!
I'll keep you updated on this - they will be every-other Friday night ending on April 6th.