The Turkey and the Fox

Ha Ha, you thought it was a live turkey, huh?  Not this time.  If fact. We haven't seen the the gobblers in a while.  Maybe they are afraid to be seen around Thanksgiving!  We are not into fresh turkey anyway.  We usually fry or smoke it.  After the purchase and thaw time, the next time I see it, it is fully cooked and ready to eat.  Now, that is easy!  But, we had a different agenda with this guy.

Anyway, my sweet friend Gae always cooks a wonderful, moist turkey.  We had a turkey in our freezer and decided that it would take up less space when cooked and be ready for various dishes.  After defrosting it in the refrigerator for several days, I called Gae to get the instructions.  It is so so easy!  

Gae's super moist, foolproof turkey:

Slather w/ butter

Poultry Seasoning & Garlic or whatever seasoning you want 

In roasting pan w/ 2-3" water, cook uncovered at 400 for 1 hour.

It will brown.

Remove from oven and cover.

Return to 300 degree oven for 5-6 hours for 20+ pound bird.

Be prepared, it will fall apart and the meat will fall off the bone.

Option: put celery in water and cavity.

From the hot tub, we saw the fox eating the turkey carcass.

It was really yummy and he couldn't walk away.

We do love to see him.

Staying with friends overnight in Amarillo was a treat...

in more ways than one!

Sweet Emotions Cookies! YUM!

My Christmas JOY, New Customers and Snowman!

By the time my Santa Belly Ornament arrived, I had found a great use for it.  This idea came from Pinterest, using a different ornament.

I love my JOY.

We had a few mountain friends over for dinner and served smoked brisket, beans, rolls and a couple of appetizers.  This one is so so simple.  First, you cut a brick of cream cheese diagonally, then place them together to look like a tree.  Chop up some candied jalapeños in your food processor to top the tree.  Add a pepper for the stem and the top.  Serve with crackers.  YUM!

Oh, I might add that this dinner really paid off by serving everything in Longaberger.  Our guests were impressed with my pottery.  I sent home three catalogs, as per requests.  One has already paid off with a $600 show.  Please, please entertain in your home using Longaberger.  

Longaberger still sells itself!

Upon the arrival of my snowman, I added a few decorations.

I'm Back!

Oh my, it has been months since I have been here, so I am sure you haven't returned since I disappeared.  My absence has been due to a five week fall foliage tour, a couple of trips to the East Coast to see all our kids and grand kids and a move to the mountains.  This was the major downsizing move and believe me, it has been a challenge.  A challenge in many areas from closets and pantry to baskets and pottery to garage and storage.  It involved many trips to goodwill, a huge basket sale in Amarillo, an enclosure under our deck and rebuilding our clothes closet at the cabin.  So, we are here with things in order or at least out of sight.  I hate under the bed storage, but, well what can I say?  OK, and a few things are stored in my land cruiser, since it is now our extra mountain vehicle. But mostly, it has all gone very well and we are loving mountain living.  With a major snow storm en route, the real test is just ahead.

Thanksgiving we will be in SC with all the kids and grands for a few wonderful days.  Our Christmas plans are still a little unsettled, but we are working on that.  Speaking of Chrsitmas, I pulled the land crusher up to the back door yesterday and unloaded my decorations.  Pretty pitiful I know, but hey, we just couldn't get a barn/storage/garage up this past summer.  Anyway, in the process, I found a few  Christmas leftovers from the sale.  Please take a look and let me know if you are interested in any or all of these items:

Sugar & Creamer                     - $20

Gravy Boat                              - $10

Small Casserole                       - $10

3 Votive Candle Holders           - $10

Toothpick & Sweetener Holder - $10

Or, how about all for $50?  Plus shipping on each item or the entire set.

Please call, email or text if you are interested.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

A Christmas Tour of the Cabin

Decorating done!  Well, except a tree and most of you know that there hasn't been a Christmas tree in my house for several years.  But, we do miss our treasured ornaments and Mickey says that we now live in the middle of Christmas tree land, so our plan is to cut a tree after our return from the Thanksgiving trip and enjoy those ornaments again.  For now, this is all I have...

Lenox China Jewels Nativity

Made in  the USA Christmas pottery.

Our family nativity through raising our kids.  There was always some moving around going on in there when the kids were home, but now it pretty much stands still.

A few, fun Christmas Baskets and Cookies for Santa Plate.

And, my ongoing collection of Tree Trimming Baskets.

The wreath that I used in Amarillo was sagging with the weight of all of these.

I was so excited to find the perfect place for them on the stairs.

This is so much easier than hanging them all on that wreath.

There is even room at the top for more!  

Thankfully, as the 2013 is ordered.

Do you need a little Christmas?  Check out the former post I'm Back! and let me help you with a few items to add to your collection and you will help me find a little more space.

New Online Business Tool

Have you cheked out your NEW Online WishList & Flyer?  It is updated and easy and fun to use!
Go check it out from your own website!   Then send it on to your friends, family and customers!

Welcome Spring!

 

 

Spring is here and the Spring Basket has returned for one day for $45.  That is $20 off!  Isn't it beautiful?  The Spring Pastel (Peach, Lavender, Pale Blue or Pink) is perfect to order on the first day of Spring.  The White Spring Basket is crisp and clean.  Other colors are Warm Brown, Rich Brown, Cornflower, Paprika, Butternut, Ivory, Sage, Chocolate and Ebony.  The Pink has Rich Brown upsplints.  All the others have Warm Brown upsplints. 

So many choices.  So much fun!

How to use this basket?  Care package basket, diapers and wipes basket in pink or blue, first aid basket, garden basket, utensils basket with divided protector for napkins and flatware, gardening basket, road trip basket, teacher basket, thank you basket filled with Thanks-A-Lot Girl Scout Cookies, welcome to the neighborhood basket.  Leave a comment on your use for this versatile basket.

How many will you sell or buy on Wednesday? :)   

Why have I never thought of this before?

I have 3 St. Patrick's Day Baskets for sale.

 2006 Lucky Twist Basket, Liner, Protector & Lid.

 $45. + shipping

 1999 Lots of Luck Basket, Liner Protector, Lid, Tie-on.

$40. + shipping

2001 Lucky You Basket, Liner, Protector.

$40. + shipping

(I can't get the lid off this one!)

Comment, call, email or text if you are interested.

The Ultimate Test

As you all know, we LOVE our Flameware.

My husband has been anxious to cook eggs in the 8' skillet.

It finally arrived and I seasoned it
and here we go...

 We always spray and added oil this time.

 Do not panic when there is discoloration.

Apparently, that means the skillet is HOT.

 Two eggs to fry.

 Cooking nicely.

 Whoa!  Beautiful back flip!

 Perfectly executed!

 Slide right out!

 No egg left behind.

 Clean enough to use again.

 Two scrambled.

Nice.

Not sticking.  

Perfectly executed.

 Add hot water.

Skillet ready for the dishwasher.

And we are ready for breakfast!

Score for the 8" Flameware Skillet!

We thought that Ebony was the way to go with the Flameware until I earned the Paprika Dutch Oven.  We love it so much I ordered the 8" Skillet to match.

What is your favorite color?

Does your real man cook?

Flameware Recipes

RECIPES….

shared by Director, Trudy Ballinger...

Here is a great recipe from one of my Collector Club members and a great customer over the years.  He sent me a picture of the recipe in the Flameware that his wife bought him for Christmas.   

A recipe would be difficult because I always just "wing it", so these would not be precise, but it is very simple.  Below is my best guess at my approach.  I would say I go from raw ingredients to serving food in under 25 minutes. Patrick

Patrick's World Famous (and easy) Garlic Chicken and Broccoli

Marinate ~2 pounds chicken breast (I use frozen Aldi tenderloins) in teriyaki/soy sauce overnight (or at least 2-3 hours).  Sauté marinated chicken in Longaberger Flameware Skillet over medium heat until cooked through. DO NOT overcook the chicken - you just want to cook it until the pink is gone.  Remove chicken from skillet, cut into chunks and cover in Longaberger small mixing bowl.  You may not use all the chicken, but I like to have extra available.

While the chicken is cooking, I quickly cut one large rinsed head of fresh broccoli (or two smaller ones) and steam until "mostly done" in the microwave.  Again, do not overcook.  I like to precook/steam the broccoli so it does not tear it up when you combine all ingredients in the final prep.  Cover to keep warm until ready for final prep.

In another Longaberger mixing bowl, prepare this sauce and add to still warm Flameware Skillet:

* One cup chicken broth

* 3 tablespoons soy sauce

* 3-4 tablespoons minced garlic (I like lots of garlic - can definitely use fresh too - I used minced for ease of prep)

* Fresh ginger to taste (optional)

* 2 tablespoons white sugar

* 2 tablespoons corn starch

* Red pepper flakes or sriracha sauce to taste (optional, but I recommend at least a small amount for overall flavor)

* 1 large handful of shredded carrots

(Do not salt any ingredients - there is plenty of salt in the chicken broth and soy sauce)

Cook the sauce mixture over medium heat until it begins to thicken and carrots start to tender.  Add chicken and broccoli to the skillet.  Turn several times with your Longaberger Silicone Turner to mix sauce thoroughly.

Serve over basmati rice and enjoy!  I enjoyed with a Sawtooth Ale (Left Hand Brewing Co), but I would also suggest a not too sweet white wine would pair well also.  Cheers!

Flameware Cherry Cobbler

shared by MBEHC, Jackie Bunch…

You might want to cook it at your Shows…Easy, Delicious & Yummy when it's still hot/warm!

Proudly Handcrafted in America!

This could be your next BIG sale!

IF your customers know about it.

Looking for Longaberger Success?

Here are some great ideas I want to share with you to help you build and strengthen your Longaberger business! JEAN

Jean Douthitt's Longaberger® Office

the following is from Spirit of Success, Beth Jones-Schall's Newsletter, The Eagle…….

So, you set your goals for a great start to the new year, but you're finding your calendar is a little slow to fill up. So what do you do? Work while you wait with these 7 steps that will produce a strong R.O.I. - return on investment!

Connect with your top hosts with personal shopper service calls. Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Easter are all coming soon, not to mention February/March birthdays, anniversaries, engagements, etc. your hosts need your help with each of these gift occasions. Connect with your hosts, get their newest wishlist items for their special occasion, along with their spouse's contact info.  Then connect with their loved one to let them know you'll help them shop!

Schedule Spring events. Spring exposure events are filling up now so don't miss the opportunity to set up your display and to connect with new business contacts at vendor fairs and home & garden events. You won't find them if you aren't there.

Host an Open House. February is the perfect month to introduce those new products for the new season at your Open House. Invite your past hosts and customers, and offer them a little something extra (lagniappe!) for bringing new friends with them.

Join and attend a local business networking group. You've been wanting to, so now is the time. Google to find the business groups in your area, then put them on your schedule and go! You will make great connections and sharpen your business skills.

Schedule coffee chats with recruit leads. In a recent survey conducted by Parade.com, 59% of the 26,614 respondents said if they could do it all over again, they would choose a new career. Well, you have the new career they can choose - so start sharing!

Smile and dial. You met and served lots of customers last quarter. So now is the time to follow up that service with more service by "smiling and dialing" - connect with your past customers by phone by committing to 30 minutes a day of customer care calls. Call to check in to see how they are doing and how you can help with a re-order or a particular need this month.

Sharpen your skills. This is the perfect time to read and listen to great CDs, webinars, articles, notes on direct sales tips to strengthen your skills.

Remember, a body in motion stays in motion. So stay in motion every day in your business this month with these 7 steps. The seeds you plant and water with these actions today will come to harvest!

(For more tips on overcoming slumps, order "BUILD It and They Will Come" CD set or on digital download at www.spiritofsuccess.com/resources.)

I do love Easter!

As our grand babies were born, a baby quilt and an Easter Basket was necessary for each one.

Who do you know that would buy an Easter Basket for their grandchild? 

Cooking With the Flameware Skillet

One of the things we love most about our Flameware is all the places that it can be used.

Be sure to spray it well before each use.  You will be happier when clean up time comes.
Vegetables are sauteed first.  Then, egg mixture is added.

Over medium heat, until bottom is set and top is slightly wet.

Skillet is placed under the pre-heated broiler.

Until top is puffed and set.
Try the Flameware Skillet and let me know how it works for you!

FIRE UP YOUR FEBRUARY WITH FLAMEWARE!

Team, If you have been wanting to purchase Flameware, do it now!  Double your sales credit when purchased on a show or an online order.  Couldn't we all use extra sales credit?  

I LOVE my Flameware.  What to order?  Well, here is a thought... consider what you use most often.  My two most used pieces are the 11 1/2" Skillet and the Pizza Stone.  We make pizza about once a week and the skillet is a staple for most meals.  I do use the Braiser for Beer Bread and the 4 Qt. Dutch Oven for soup.  And, don't forget that the 8" Skillet and Lid and the 4 Qt. Dutch Oven are available this month on page 4 of the February Flyer.  OK, here is an idea... look in your pots and pans cabinet and see what is in front.  That is probably your most used item.  

Order our wonderful, healthy, use anywhere Flameware this month and get double sales credit!  

Just Announced!  2 New Incentives For You! When 100% natural Flameware ceramic cookware debuted,  it started a cooking revolution, making healthy cooking easy!  Flameware continues to be a hot product and our research  shows that if you have the product as a sample and if you watch this short training video  you will sell THREE times the Flameware than those who don't! Flameware is Vitrified Plus, meaning it excels in the microwave,  fridge, freezer, dishwasher and oven, under a broiler  AND on a gas or electric stovetop and backyard grill! To heat up your February,  we have two offers exclusively for our Home Consultants.  These incentives are HOT!  If you haven't started selling Flameware yet, now is your opportunity! 1. 50% off Flameware Samples Available now in the Just for Business Shop Online.  2. DOUBLE Sales Credit on all Flameware Products Yes, that's double sales credit toward your incentives,  Hawaii, team volume and year-end awards!! Don't just take our word for how Flameware can heat up your business.  Here's what Brad S., from Galena, OH, had to share: "I like to cook but don't have a lot of time. When I saw the new Flameware,  I liked the look and the qualities of healthy cooking.  And being able to use on the grill - I WAS SOLD!!!  I decided to sign as a Home Consultant because I really felt  Flameware would be an easy sell to my friends that also like to cook.  If you are a Home Consultant you need to give Flameware a try.  You will enjoy it!" Consultants Want To Know! Q. How much money do I make off Longaberger Flameware? A. You earn 25% commission on each piece of Flameware you sell.  If you sell a 10 1/2 " Lidded Braiser for $175,  you'll earn $43.75 in commission! Q. How much sales credit will I earn on that Braiser? A. $350 in sales credit! ($175 X 2) Q. Will this sales credit count towards Hawaii?  $350 & $1000 Incentives? Year End Awards? A. Yes! The double sales credit will count towards  all incentives and recognition! Q. Will I receive double commission and overrides? A. No, just sales credit.