Thursday, January 31, 2008

It's Customer Appreciation Month..... Let the Give-aways Begin!

Here at The Summer Kitchen, February is Customer Appreciation Month. We started this tradition, oh, I'd say around 5-6 years ago when we thought we'd like to do something wonderful for our customers! We started out by sending out coupons, a few years later, we decided to hold a complementary tea party, and this year, we've decided to give away four things during the month of February. So, starting now, click down below in the comment box, and leave us your name so that we can enter you into our weekly drawing. You can enter in the store too! Go on ahead – try your luck!!

Starting on the 8th and every Friday after that, we will pick a lucky winner for that week's prize! This week you can enter to win one of our "Sweetie Pie" books. We know that you will LOVE this book - not only does it have fabulous recipes of pies, it has great stories that you will have fun reading! Mom has had the book for a couple of weeks now, and loves pouring over the stories - as promised, she has handed me a "report" for this cookbook - have a look:

Hey Sweetie Pie!
Have I got the cookbook for you - a cookbook that reads like a novel! I've never seen anything like it - and, believe me, I have a lot of cookbooks! This one is so much fun, just to read. In "Sweetie Pies", Patty Pinner not only gives you her favorite recipes, but also tells you quite a tale about the ladies, whose recipes are in the book. Take this story, for example:


They tell me that Mama’s cousin Sister Baby was a real contradiction in womanhood. Sister Baby, who started in the fast lane early (they say, but the time Sister was twelve, Cousin Rachel, her mother, couldn't do a thing with her), was one of those kind of girls who could get out there and revel with the best of them. But, after she'd had enough carousing, she could step inside, slip into one of Cousin Rachel's nice aprons, and cook a meal so tasty, it was hard to believe Sister cooked it. They say her pies would come out of the oven looking like a picture.
Sister kept a string of male admirers. Of course, some in the family say Sister attracted men so easily because of her fastness; others say it was because of her cooking. I don't know what drew the men to Sister, the fact that she was a party girl or the notion that when she put her mind to it, she was a wonderful cook. I do know that even though my mother used to preach her "fast-girls-end-up-going-nowhere" sermon, she also used to say, "But it won't get you anywhere being too slow either."



Well, if you like that little story, you will enjoy the other snippets in the book too. Not only do you learn how to bake great pies, but you learn a lot of womanly advice with a good chuckle here and there - this book's a keeper!
-Becky


My guess is that we will never get the book back – what do you think?

So, let's re-cap: This week – we’re giving away a book, and other give-aways will follow - just leave a comment, or enter at the store. We will also be having our complementary tea party next week, and would love to have you and some friends join us- here are the details:

Customer Appreciation Tea
Sunday, February 10th
2:30pm

We will be serving a fruit dish, muffins and cheesecake, along with 4-5 of our teas, including our wonderful Summer Kitchen House Blend! For your entertainment, we have our friend Terri, from Vibrant Solutions in Gibsonburg to share with us the benefits of message - can you feel the stress leave already??
RSVP at summerkitchen@sbcglobal.net or by calling us at 419-638-4205.


Well, lots of boxes have been entering the store lately, and I thought I'd share.......as you can see, it was very busy on Tuesday, and I'm glad that I hadn't scheduled outside appointments that day! As you will see, this many boxes cause a lot of havoc in such a small store!
Not only do we have big boxes, the things in them.....but we have so much packing material.....


......and once we get through all of these boxes, peanuts, bubble wrap, more packaging material.....we get to the fun stuff!!



We just couldn't wait for the new cloches to come in - here's the etched one -isn't it gorgeous? Now, you know why there was so much packing material right? Just to let you know - not one cloche broke - and we got 17 different ones in!



These planters are great to use indoors, as well as outdoors! We received two of these, and two of another style in. Oh-so-fun to use where you need a gorgeous garden look!











We got in several styles of lamps - this one, perfect for a small spot - and so sweet looking! By the way - there's the Owl paperweights we got in a couple of weeks ago - I know the pictures a bit dark - but they are there!!

We got this lamp in for home show next month - talk about a punch of color in a room!

Last of all - we got in more of our Caldrea Hand Balm. This has to be, by far, the best lotion for my winter, dry, chapped, cracked hands! I couldn't wait to get to work every day to put some on.....I've now bought my own bottle, so I could have soft hands on my days off! Come on in and try some - and see for yourself!!

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Come on in.....it's warm inside!



















Today we had our tea party for The Liberty Center in Fremont. Despite the frigid weather, we had a lovely turnout for out second annual benefit for this wonderful cause! We had a delicious meal and wonderful guests. I thought I'd share some pictures and the menu with you all.....



Menu
Cream of Sweet Potato Soup
**Black Currant Tea**

Sweet Hamloaf Meatballs
Chicken Salad Wraps
Southwest Marinated Cheese
Pumpkin Zucchini Bread
**Summer Kitchen House Tea**

Toffee Scones
with Strawberry Jam and Devonshire Cream
**Cherry Almond Tea**

Streusel Topped Gingerbread
with Butter Sauce
**Green Hollow Tea**


The gingerbread was so yummy and enjoyed by all - so I thought I'd post the recipe so that you could try it too:

Struesel Topped Gingerbread with Butter Sauce

1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup softened margarine
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup molasses
1 egg, slightly beaten

Butter Sauce:
1/2 cup sugar
Dash ginger
1/4 cup margarine
1/4 cup whipping cream

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Grease bottom only of 8-inch square pan. In large bowl, combine 1/2 cup sugar and 1/4 margarine; blend well. Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup; level off. Add flour, ginger, cinnamon, allspice and salt; mix until crumbly. Reserve 1/3 cup of mixture for topping. To remaining mixture, add baking soda; mix well. Add buttermilk, molasses and egg; blend well. Pour batter into greased pan; sprinkle with reserved mixture. Bake at 375 degrees for 20-30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

In small saucepan, combine all sauce ingredients. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Reduce heat; simmer 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve warm sauce over gingerbread. Refrigerate any remaining sauce.


How about that picture??? I was trying to take my best "Smitten Kitchen" picture here.....what do you think? I'm thinking that we should serve this for dessert with her fried chicken she had showing on her blog yesterday - - YUM! That would warm any soul up in this weather!! By the way, everyone also wanted the recipe for the Cream of Sweet Potato Soup. You'll find this recipe on the blog for December 11, 2006.



Things are starting to fill up quite nicely around here - we even had a shipment of spring come in this week - - - there is hope! With Valentines day on it's way, we have some really fun things that aren't typical for the day of love!

We found a great company with vintage linens, and truly fell in love with them! We don't know if we'll carry them year-round, or if it will be a spring thing, but just look - what a great way to bring a fresh new look for spring.....or especially a romantic look for Valentines!




This is just the best book ever! Karrie and I were smitten by this when we saw it. Mother.....well, not only does she love ANY kind of cookbook, but she ADORES this book. She has read it front to back, and has promised me a "book report" for you all on it! If you are looking for a gift for that special friend, you mom or even your daughter - look no further, THIS is it!



We just love old pictures, you all know that.....so look at the fun picture holders you can use for Valentines - aren't they great? I'd put recipes in them as well - that would be a neat gift....one of your favorite recipes tucked into this - how sweet!

Well, that's all for the picture show right now....however, I do have news, now pay attention!!
Next month is Customer Appreciation Month here at the Summer Kitchen. Since the Blog is really catching on, we've decided to do four giveaways - one a week during the month of February! Starting the 8th, and every Friday after that, Karrie and I will put all the names in a basket and randomly pick one name out of the people who comment on the blog!

So, starting on February 1st - hit the comment button and LET THE GIVEAWAYS BEGIN!
I'll be back with more details this week!

Monday, January 07, 2008

January Happenings


Welcome 2008!
We've been getting in a lot of fun things lately - nice gift items (for you or someone special). We love the owl paperweights, and we just got in some bird figurines. There are three different sizes - just the perfect size to nestle in with other things on your bookcases or tablescapes! More things should be coming in toward the end of the week - so stop in and take a look!


Thursday, January 17th
Accessorizing Class

Join us at 7pm for a complimentary accessorizing class!
Bring yourself - and some friends and learn some basic "rules" of accessorizing - then the fun begins! Help re-arrange spots in the store for your "hands-on" training! Bring your questions, and get some new ideas on how to tackle the areas in your own home! To join in the fun - call us or email us so we can reserve your spot!



Sunday, January 20th 2pm
Benefit Tea Party for The Liberty Center

Come join us for a relaxing afternoon tea!
We will be serving 4-5 of our teas from our Tea Si'l Vous Plait line. Along with your tea, we will be serving you four delicious courses.
There is a suggested reservation of $15 per person, which is tax deductible. Please call us at 419-638-4205 to reserve your spot!

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