Weds. September 1st Online Special

Shop Online with Me

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Shop Online with me at: www.longaberger.com/jeanninezito

Buy 1 Get 1 FREE!

Woven Traditions Divided Plates (set of 2) $24

Get rid of those paper plates, and use what you can REUSE!

These plates are perfect for eating in front of the TV watching the big game.  They keep food ON the plate, even if they are tipped slightly cheering for a touchdown!

Great for the picky eater!  Different foods do not touch one another.  YEA!

Fantastic for the tailgater.  Environmentally friendly and keeps the beans in their place. :)

Comes in 8 different colors, so get each family member their own color!  (No fighting over who's is who's)

Order yours Weds. September 1st here!

Tomatoes, Tomatoes, Tomatoes

I am not complaining, but I do not know what to do with all of my tomatoes these days!  After YEARS of having all of the garden bounty eaten by the local rodents, I now have relocated some of my garden.  The result?  Lot and lots of veggies!  I have made, salsa, sauce, bruscetta, b.l.t's and so much more!  I love it!  But I think I have exhausted the recipes I have.  Any more suggestions?  Help!

I am Happy to share any recipes with all of you, if you share with me!

I'm Going To Feel Good Today

i'm going to feel good today, originally uploaded by prettyfnmess.

I AM going to feel good today.

Happy One Year Anniversary Maple and Stone!

August 26th!

Get your Everyday Baskets Online August 25th ONLY!

Shop Online with Me

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Shop Online with me at: www.longaberger.com/jeanninezito

Online Exclusive on Every Day Baskets in our Signature Weave

Cracker Basket Ideas

Sits on kitchen counter to hold fresh tomatoes... best kept out of the fridge
Fits in the fridge to hold washed grapes. Small rectangular footprint takes less space that's unique to hold many things, in or out of the fridge!
Organize flatware and utensils in kitchen drawers
Organize pens, pencils and rulers inside the desk
Organize art and craft supplies... see-thru protectors are especially helpful!
Keep remote controls handy by your favorite chair
Envelopes stand ready to address on the desk
Catch hair brushes and combs, or everyday jewelry, on the vanity top
Flatware on the buffet rolled in napkins... we have napkins, too... coordinate with fabric liner!
The perfect shape to serve breadsticks, biscotti, chocolate-covered pretzel sticks, and large peppermint sticks at Christmas... switch to a seasonal fabric liner!
Roll out the ritz... holds one roll of crackers right out of the box; also a charming cookie server

A beautiful and useful gift. Fill Cracker Basket with:
Wooden spoons for the baker or cutlery for the salad maker

For crafters: beads to string, sewing notions and other small things

Small office supplies for teachers and employee gifts

Lay in small jelly jars in a row and give with a large box of crackers

Home-baked cookies are always a treat, or simply put a small box of crackers or cookies right in the basket


Bread Basket Ideas

Hold toilet paper on back of toilet tank
Hold up to 30 music or computer CD’s, Nintendo Cartridges
Bread, baked potatoes
Organizer for hair spray, gels, etc. on top of the toilet tank
Use as a bathroom or office organizer with three Tea Protectors
Hold baby food jars or other food items in the pantry
Foil and plastic wrap caddy
Turn protector upside down on top of the basket to keep flies away
Towels
Curling iron and dryer
Holds TV Guide and remotes
Use for address files
Microwave popcorn packages
Use in the bathroom to hold extra hand towels, roll of tissue and a bag of potpourri
Organize cosmetics
Roll of paper towels fits perfectly on its side
Put on back of toilet to hold extra toilet paper roll and a square box of tissues

Cake Basket Ideas

Delivering cookies and bread to neighbors
Use as a salad bowl with the protector inside
Holds extra kitchen dish towels
Carry a picnic lunch for two
Holds snacks and juice boxes in the car
A last minute hiding spot for junk on the counter
24 cupcakes or other snacks/treats to school
Have a class of students sign one and give it to the teacher
Have a family sign one for the bride and groom, or grandkids sign one for grandma
Use to pass out Halloween or Christmas treats
Holds party favors
Punch bowl with protector
Bill/Mail Basket
Store sample size shampoo, conditioner, lotion, soap, etc. as well as razor blade, nail file, etc.
Carry quilting supplies
Great to carry "projects" and reading material to all those places where we find ourselves "waiting"
Fast food drink tray on bottom with food sitting on top - much easier to carry
Put 5 rolls of toilet paper in with the lid on top...on the floor of the bathroom
Carry casseroles easily
Use for carrying a cheese cake with an ice pack under the riser and the lid on top-keeps the cheese cake cold for hours
Paint the riser w/ a checkerboard pattern, Throw in a bag of checkers - great travel gift
Holds legos
Store books or cookbooks
On top of the fridge with a selection of after-school snacks
Store breads, rolls, muffins etc with or without the lid
Use as an overnight case
Holds cross stitch items & supplies.
Use to keep dog & cat toys in
Holds a set of sheets in the bedroom
Rolled up towels and toiletries in the guest bathroom
Carry a standard crock pot with spoons and hot pads tucked in beside
A potluck basket - put the plates and tableware under the riser and the carry in dish on top
Stores hats, scarves, gloves and mittens
On top of upper kitchen cabinet as storage for rarely used utensils
Portable baby changing area (diapers, wipes, A&D, etc)
Carry toys or books for child in car
Store towels and washcloths in linen closet

Holds It All Ideas

Pantry – Ideal for storing large bags of dog food
Laundry Room – Teach your family to sort their own laundry
Craft Room – Manage your holiday and special occasion wrapping paper
Back Porch – The ultimate sports equipment organizer
Any Room – Perfect as a side table, just add a glass tabletop

Roasted Vegetable Soup from the Garden

I made this recipe yesterday. I originally found it in a Good Food magazine years ago. This is one of the best recipes ever! So simple too! Roasting the vegetables gives them a sweet, smoky flavor. Serve this soup with slices of crusty Italian Bread, or with toasted cheese sandwiches. Yum!

Roasted Vegetable Soup:

Prep: 30 minutes

Total: 1 hour 30 minutes

Ingredients

Serves 4

• 6 beefsteak tomatoes, halved and cored

• 2 leeks, white and pale-green parts cut into 1/2-inch pieces (or onions)

• 2 carrots, cut into 1/4-inch pieces

• 4 cloves garlic (or more if you love it like I do)

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• Coarse salt and ground pepper

• 2 cans (14 1/2 ounces each) reduced-sodium vegetable broth

• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In roasting pan, toss tomatoes with leeks, carrots, garlic, and oil. Season with salt and pepper. Roast in a single layer (tomato cut sides down) until tender, 1 hour. Using tongs, peel off tomato skins.

2. In saucepan, bring vegetables, vegetable broth, and 1 cup water to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 10 minutes.

3. In batches, puree in blender. Stir in basil. Heat through and enjoy!

Image borrowed from Martha Stewart Living

My List Update

If you remember back in April, I made a To Do List. I wanted to accomplish several things this past Spring and during the Summer. Lets see what I was able to accomplish so far and what I better get moving on…

My List:
1. Start exercising regularly. (I have done a TON of yard work…does that count?)
2. Sew some things for my home, myself, and my family. (I am working on a couple of projects as I write this. I will follow up on this with a future blog showing you a couple of my fun projects.)
3. Have my sewing machine "tuned up" so sewing will be less of a chore. (NO! I have to keep this on the To Do list.)
4. Visit family more often. (I was able to reconnect with many relatives I have not seen in years at my daughter’s Graduation Party a couple of weeks ago.  It was so much fun, and I promise to see family more often in the future)
5. Plant my veggie garden and actually "tend" it! (YES!!!!! I had a very successful garden this year, thanks to my boys. I will also share more about my garden in the next blog post)
6. Preserve some of the bounty of my garden. (So far I have made and frozen salsa…more to come)
7. Plant a wildflower garden in the "way-back" of the yard. (This is one thing I regret to say, I have not made progress on. I wish I could, but the mosquitos this summer have made going in the “way back” yard nearly impossible.)
8. Learn to take better photos. (Again, I have made no progress with this…I am keeping this on the To Do list and will work more on it in the Fall)
9. Brush up on my Spanish. (Sadly, No. My boys and I will have to attempt to converse more en Espanol)
10. Be more organized! (Yes and No…This is a constant battle. In a small home, you tend to clean up one area, and the stuff seems to get shuffled to another area, which then requires the same attention. A vicious on going battle)
11. Spend "quality" time with my family. (YES!!!! This summer our family was able to spend some quality time together. While our annual summer vacation did get cancelled due to other financial obligations….daughter going to college, we were able to spend some time working on projects together…ie: garden!)
Most of the items on my list are enjoyable to me. A few are more or less ambitions. I guess the theme of my list is to live my life simpler. (if that is a word) Instead of buying everything, I would like to be more self sufficient in my own home.  -(This too has been a growing experience. I have enjoyed the time I have been able to spend at home instead of going out and spending money unnecessarily. The kids have been a huge help working towards simplifying our lives and pulling their weight helping around the house and yard.)

Longaberger Online Special Weds 8/18 Only!

Shop Online with Me

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Shop Online with me at: www.longaberger.com/jeanninezito

Don't Just be a Spectator...Own One!

Are you tired of carrying a BIG purse? Are your shoulders aching from carrying around all that "stuff"? The Longaberger Spectator Purse is the perfect small size purse to help you cut down on all the stuff you cram into your HUGE purse!

It's only available for ONE DAY, ONE TIME!

Don't miss out on this beautiful handbag!

Order yours today!

Wednesday, August 18, from Noon to 11:59 p.m., EDT

www.longaberger.com/jeanninezito

Some Sweet Treats!

My FAVORITE holiday to decorate for has to be Halloween.  I have to plan early, because for us Longaberger aficionados, August is the month we add on to our Halloween Collections.  This year has to be one of the cutest additions to my Halloween basket collection. 

This cute Candy Corn basket is a favorite hands down!  Stash your candy supply, embellish your tabletop and savor the season with stylish originality. Set includes Basket, an Over-the-Edge Liner in Candy Corn fabric and a Protector.

4 1/4"l x 3 1/4"w x 4 1/2"h, only $59 (until Aug 31st.)

The larger Halloween Treats Basket Set is sweet! Elicit a smile versus a shriek with our delightful Halloween and fall items. Stash your candy supply, embellish your tabletop and savor the season with stylish originality. Set includes Basket

(12"l x 9 1/2"w x 5 3/8"h), an Over-the-Edge Liner in Candy Corn fabric, Protector, WoodCrafts Lid and Wrought Iron Treats Holder

(15 1/4"l x 10"w x 7 1/2"h).

With the purchase of this Set, you receive the Wrought Iron Treats Holder for only $10. A $35 Value!  Only $132!

(Be a hostess and get yours for only $66!)

Get a jump on your Fall decorating and order yours today!

www.longaberger.com/jeanninezito

Weds. Aug. 11th Longaberger Online Special

Today only!

The Longaberger Online Special is the Woven Traditions Blue Pottery.

Save 30% and get yours before it retires at the end of this month.

This pottery can be baked in, put in the freezer, in the microwave and in the dishwasher.

It really is the best quality table ware made today.

Try this recipe with the 9 X 13 pan:

FIESTA BAKE

Yield: 8-10 servings Bake: 350 30 min.

1lb. ground beef/Turkey

1 clove garlic, minced1 onion, diced ( could use dried chopped, or leave out)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1 10-oz. can enchilada sauce, mild or hot

1 8-oz can tomato sauce

2 15-oz cans chili beans

1 17-oz can whole-kernel corn, undrained

1 4 1/4-oz can chopped olives (optional)

8 to 10 corn tortillas, torn into large pieces

1/2 cup finely shredded cheeseBrown ground beef, garlic and onion.

Season with salt and pepper. Add sauces, beans, corn, and olives. Place 1 cup meat mixture in the bottom of a Longaberger 9 X 13 pan. Add a layer of corn tortillas. Repeat layers until meat mixture and tortillas are used, ending with meat mixture. Cover and bake in a 350 oven for 30 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese and let stand 10 minutes before serving. Top each serving with some finely shredded lettuce.

Enjoy!

Places to see... #1

I am not a very well versed traveler, but have come across a few “must see” places. This is the first of several of these spectacular or unique places I have see several times because I thought it was so unique. The Longaberger Co. “Big Basket” or Home Office, in Newark, Ohio. (It is only a 6 hour drive from Chicago so, is consdered a "do-able" weekend trip)

This information about the "Big Basket" was found at www.longaberger.com

What started out as a dream by Dave Longaberger, Founder of The Longaberger Company, has been built into a giant basket to house the entire corporate offices of the company. Dave believed the idea was one of his best and would draw attention to the company, while simultaneously helping to build our brand. However, when he started spreading the idea of building a Home Office that was really a basket, he found that most people just thought that Dave was making a joke as Dave was a notorious practical joker. Not only did the bankers, architects and construction companies not take Dave seriously, neither did many of the employees who worked for The Longaberger Company, but Dave persevered. One of Dave's most admirable attributes was that when he had a dream and believed in it, he always found a way to accomplish it, and he did. Dave's dream was achieved on December 17, 1997 when the Home Office that is designed to resemble a basket finally opened for business.

In 1998, The Longaberger Home Office also received a Build Ohio Award for its synthetic plaster system. The building is made of stucco over a steel structure, which helps create the look of an actual Longaberger Basket®. The Home Office continues to attract the attention of media from around the world, even as far away as Tokyo.

While the exterior of the Home Office is a marvel in itself, the building's interior is truly breathtaking. A grand staircase, player piano and marble floors are just part of the beautiful décor of the building's seven story atrium. The majority of the cherry woodwork used in the Home Office was harvested from the Longaberger Golf Club in Hanover; dried in our facility; sawed and shaped at our Construction Woodshop; finished in our Construction Paint Booth and installed by our Construction Division.

The Home Office is a site worth touring whether you are on your way to Longaberger Homestead or any other Longaberger destination. To learn more about the Longaberger Home Office and other Longaberger attractions, please call 740.322.5588, or e-mail: guestrelations@longaberger.com

The Longaberger Home Office is located at:
One Market Square
1500 East Main Street
Newark, Ohio 43055

August ... A Change of Seasons

Gosh! I looked at the calendar just last week, and realized that the summer is almost over! The summer has simple blown by at blistering speed. I apologize for not keeping up on my blog site this summer, but am looking forward to the onset of my favorite time of the year...Fall.

The dog days of summer are still upon us, but I am anticipating the start of the next school year, and am looking forward to cooler nights, and that crisp smell of leaves in the air.

I am planning to do some more outdoor projects in the much more comfortable weather this fall. I seem to become a bit more domestic during this time of the year too. I love to bake, cook and transition the house to the warm cozy atmosphere I enjoy throughout the winter. My blogging in the upcoming months will reflect this.

Let's start right now! Here is a wonderful recipe I got last year in Ohio while visiting Longaberger's Big Basket... (The Longaberger Co. home office) I will talk more about the Big Basket is an upcoming blog on fun places to see in the USA.

Longaberger Apple Cider Syrup

1/2 cup sugar

4 t. cornstarch

1/2 t. ground cinnamon

1 cup apple cider or apple juice

1T. lemon juice

2T. butter or margarine

In a small saucepan stir together the sugar, cornstarch and cinnamon. Then, stir in the apple cider or apple juice and lemon juice. Cook and stir the mixture over medium heat until mixture is thickened and bubbly. Then cook and stir for 2 more minutes. Remove saucepan from heat and stir in the butter or margarine till melted. Makes about 1 1/3 cups.

This Longaberger recipe is very tasty. It makes a great apple dip. It is a fall/autumn kind of recipe. It works perfect in the Longaberger Salt Crock or the new Low Bowl. Fill the Vegetable Bowl with apple slices. This could make a great sauce for over ice cream. I haven't tried it yet, but I think this would be good on apple pancakes too!