A GREAT PICK-ME-UP

When you feel the need for a little boost, a little more fuel in the engine have I got the thing for you. VerMints! Last summer when we were driving home from the Columbus, Ohio, Gift Show we stopped in Bennington, VT, for a break and checked out a terrific antiques shop. That is where we found VerMints on the checkout counter. What first caught our eye was the great graphics. These freshen up mints come in tins with the greatest colors and design. You can tell there was a lot of thougth put into the packaging. Then to complete the job they selected really tasty flavors: Gingermint, Wintermint, Peppermint, Chai, Cafe Express and Cinnamint. Oh, and did I say that they are certified all natural and/or organic? For this product that means no artificial flavoring, coloring or sweeteners. I could go on and on but it's best you take a look for yourself. Try it, you'll like it. I sure am hooked. http://www.vermints.com/

So, did you figure out which indulgence I was asking about Tuesday? Chocolate, of course. I know there actually are some people who don't care for chocolate (how that can be I'll never figure out) but for most of us it meets all the criteria for being one of the best things in life.

GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY!

I recently read that volunteering is up among young people. That is one of the many things that makes our country great!

UPDATE!

"World without End" is coming along fine. I'm on page 347 and going strong. It's not my usual interest when reading but I am really enjoying and would almost say I can't put it down.

Take care,
Pam

Mm Mm GOOD!

Got to thinking yesterday about some good friends of ours at Bellows House Bakery and their yummy line of shortbread cookies and "to die for" brownies. Those are just a smattering of their offerings. As you might have guessed these goodies are made in small batches to order and exude a delicious homemade taste. They have also perfected scones and whoopie pies, a personal favorite. However I have to say that their crumb cakes are exceptionally mouth watering, very moist and great flavor. The cakes come in 2 flavors, Cinnamon Burst and Blueberry, both excellent choices.

As for the brownies, that is another story, one of perfection. Just listen to these choices: Peanut Butter Chip, Macaroon, Caramel Pecan and the more basic, Fudge, Fudge Walnut and Chocolate Chip. If ever there was a time to treat yourself now is it and these delectable goodies are just the thing. http://www.bellowshouse.com/

GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY!

Our government has just issued a report telling us that fewer illegal immigrants entered the country last year. Sure hope this trend keeps up.

QUESTION OF THE DAY!

What little luxury are Americans going nuts over during our stressful economy?

Take care,
Pam

PANCAKES?

Yes, pancakes. One of Al's special treats is Saturday morning blueberry pancakes. Now we have tried a variety of mixes, recipes on boxes and recipes from scratch and have determined that our favorite is Stonewall Kitchen Farmhouse Pancake & Waffle Mix. It is a mix,yes, but it has just a few ingredients and they are all basic foods with none of that other "stuff" we try to avoid. I don't know specifically what makes it tastier but for us, we love it. They also have a variety of other pancake mixes that are worth a try. And if you are a maple syrup fan we have found Trader Joe's to be excellent and well priced. Theirs is from Canada which always has some of the best around. So, next time you are out shopping and want a really good pancake breakfast give Stonewall Kitchen and Trader Joe's a try. http://www.stonewallkitchen.com/

GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY!

Are you as tired of hearing all the bad statistics on the news as we are? Just think about how these are presented and then turn them around. For instance, they say we have approximately 8% unemployed BUT that also means we have 92% EMPLOYED. Now isn't that a better number to hear? Much more positive and uplifting.

LOOKING FOR A GREAT GIFT BASKET?

Try http://www.shayenterprises.com/. Sharon works her magic when it comes to design and price and she works with a big variety of items you can choose from so your basket is exactly what you want for your recipient. Your wish is her command!

Take care,
Pam

THE ART OF PERFECTION

DIVINE DELIGHTS! What a temptation these dreamy petits fours and iced cookies are for one's mouth. For 24 years Angelique and Bill Fry have been baking and decorating their way to an exceptional line of sweets. And yet after all these years they still retain the small bakery, handmade, quality feel that is unexcelled. I was lucky enough to be given some of their little decorated cakes and cookies by a friend and saying "melt in your mouth" is not a strong enough description. You can tell that their value of the highest standards has never been compromised.
Thank you Angelique and Bill for your delightful treats. http://www.divinedelights.com/.

SAY IT ISN'T SO!

Just heard the rumor that Hershey is ending it's recently purchased Joseph Schmidt product line. Sure do hope this is only a rumor and not a truth. J. S. is another mouthwatering creation that we hope is around for a long time.

WILL YOU HELP OUT?

According to the latest statistics the Girl Scouts are experiencing softer cookie sales than in the past. Now I ask you, who can resist those cute girls out and about selling cookies to increase revenue for the worthwhile things this organization does for our young girls. Many of them from lower economic homes and the Girl Scouts are a bright spot in their lives. This is an honest and upfront organization. Please buy Girl Scout Cookies!

OSCARS!

My favorite Oscar time was at a party where each guest came dressed as their favorite actor. You should have seen some of the outfits! We had a ball. What was your favorite Oscar show?

Take care,
Pam

WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT...

I learned a new term the other day: PORTION DISTORTION. At first I didn't have a clue what it meant but then I found out. This is referring to food portions in restaurants. However, did you know that your meal at the local chain was not where larger portions originated? It all started with recipes. That sure took me by surprise. I mean, how often do we look at a recipe, make the dish and then say "Boy, that sure made more than I thought it would!". That's a little more sneaky than ordering in a restaurant and being served 1 entree that could actually feed 3 people. Now I know.

GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY!

Earlier this week we had a Texas Roadhouse restaurant open sharing the parking lot with a new Lowes. This is the first in our area and I've never been to one but I will eat at this one. Last weekend when they were doing a practice run preparing all the items on the menu guess what they did with all that food. They shared with the Lowes employees. Talk about thoughtful and generous!

BEST SELLER!

By far our best seller is Chocolate Coated Oreos from Colonial Candies. These yummy treats are not just an oreo cookie with a thin layer of chocolate like most that you see; they have a rich, thick coat of some of the best chocolate around and when I say thick, I mean THICK. Three times as thick as usual. To complete the picture envision each oreo wrapped in a variety of shiny colored foils. You can find these on our website http://www.findinggourmet.com/.

Take care, Pam

IT'S FINALLY COMING!

Since I have been living in New England for the past 14 years some of my favorite stores have entered our market. Leading the way was Target. Now I know you are thinking Target is everywhere and has been for a long time but that really isn't true. It's probably been 10 years here in MA. which makes it a newby for the chain. Following Target came Nordstrom and Ikea both being terrific stores. You can imagine that being from Seattle as I am I'm a "dyed in the wool" Nordy fan. And Ikea! What's not to like in that store. Then to put frosting on the cake, Al read in the paper last week that Wegman's, one of the most delectable food stores in the world, has applied for and apparently received a liquor license. This means that we will have one close enough to shop at regularly. For you folks west of the Mississippi River you probably are not familiar with Wegman's. Let me tell you: it is a combination of Whole Foods, Dean and Deluca and the like. It's huge and has every end of the food business covered from gourmet to saltines to prepared to wine. I am a happy camper! Now if we could just get a Cost Plus World Market. Just dreaming.

WEIGHING IN!

Here is my short, and I mean short, take on the Octomom. What she and her doctor do is her business; it's a free country and I wouldn't want anyone telling me how to procreate. HOWEVER...when I have to help support her and her 14 kids then it IS my business!!!

NOVEL TIME!

Yesterday I started reading "World Without End" by Ken Follett. I had read his previous book, "The Pillars of the Earth" 18 years ago and "World" is a continuation. It's starting out great but don't look for my review for a while. This one is 1000 pages. Whew!

PRESIDENT'S DAY!

Remeber "Honest Abe"? Are we ever going to call any of our politicians HONEST again!!!

Take care,
Pam

JUST ARRIVED!

Meet the newest member of our family of fine foods. NORTH WOODS ANIMAL TREATS. Yes, we have decided that we can't leave out special members in our families... our dogs and cats. The owner/creator Jean McCarthy has done a super job creating treats that dogs snap up and bark for more. She has introduced 4 treats in a variety of shapes and flavors and also a bag of
"Nibbles". To round out the line she designed a special treat for your cats, a bag that has catnip and also a woolen Ball with a bell. These treats are all natural and can be bought in a display crate of 24 per kind of treat. Want to know the best thing about this line (other than they fly off the shelves) they are packaged by a group of mentally challenged adults. It's really nice to have a product that sells well and also increases the quality of life for people. www.northwoodsanimaltreats.com


As for Wednesday's question the answer is China. They have a group of citizens that will be coming to our country to look at and buy foreclosed homes. Right now I'm not sure how I feel about this.

GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY!

Well, Starbucks has done it again. They are introducing "value" priced coffee/sandwich combos which they hope will increase sales. You really have to give them credit. Like the rest of us they started at the beginning and look what they have accomplished. Yes, they are on every street corner and people say some of their coffee tastes burnt, but I'm sure a lot of us wouldn't mind having our businesses grow as well as theirs has. The real winners are the ones who adjust to the times and get creative. I wish them well.

QUESTION OF THE DAY!

What are your vacation plans for this year?

Take care,
Pam

IT'S SOOO RICE

Well, we did it again. Bought another kitchen gadget. When Al mentioned buying a rice cooker I thought OH, NO. Here we go putting another unopened box on the basement floor for decoration. But (and isn't there always a but!) much to my surprise we love this awesome "thing". We use it at least once or twice a week and are on our way to becoming connoisseurs of the various kinds of rice. Who would have thought. One favorite that I used to buy when living on the west coast is Calrose. I had never seen it here in the east but low and behold I unexpectedly came across it in WalMart of all places. This fabulous rice is similar to Thai sticky rice but not quite as sticky. And like most rices it is very versitile. The question is what CAN'T you add to it. Another great thing about rice is that it is economical, even since there have been big increases in price, and also it is a very healthy and filling food. What a tasty way to stretch the budget!

And speaking of rice I have to tell you what I had for lunch last November at the Picasso Museum Cafe in Barcelona, Spain. They serve a terrific risotto with mushrooms and pumpkin. Great choice for the season, of course, but also mouth watering. Naturally when we were back home I had to try to duplicate this dish and according to Al I was quite successful. Adding the mushrooms speaks for itself and as for the pumpkin what I did was put 1/2 cup of canned pumpkin into the finished 8oz of risotto. DELICIOUS!!!

So, what are you reading? I just finished "The Associate" by John Grisham and can tell you that being #1 on the New York Times best seller list is a no-brainer. It was his best yet (in my opinion) so give it a try.

GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY!

I have been noticing that many of our local chain and also independant theaters are holding event showings as well as the regular movie schedule. Smart way to be creative and increase revenue.

QUESTION OF THE DAY!

What country are house hunters coming from to snap up foreclosurs here in the U.S.?

Take care,
Pam

OUT AND ABOUT

Ah! Saturday. A day of rest? Not always the case for the self-employed. But a day of fun? Most definately. This past Saturday I went with Al to make a delivery to The Cheese Shop in Concord. Peter, Bill and staff have been great customers of ours for a long time and I have to say among our favorites to work with. Well... Arminah, a delightful and very helpful lady who has been there a number of years, introduced us to a new favorite product that has been experiencing brisk sales. EFFIE'S HOMEMADE OATCAKES. Now I know what you are thinking, the same that I was thinking, "yuck - crunchy cardboard". Boy were we in for a surprise. They are very generous at the Cheese Shop with spreading tasting samples around so we each got an oatcake. Much to our amazment those crispy little oatcakes should actually be called oat cookies. They are delicious down to the last crumb. Of course we headed out of the shop with a stash to put in our cabinet and our tummies. There are a number of ways to enjoy them: with a slice of really good cheddar, a cup of your favorite homebrewed tea and a nice cheese spread also works well. They are all natural and you can acturally read the ingredients very easily; no strange words to figure out. Give them a try!! http://www.effieshomemade.com/.

GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY!

I am so happy to see that more stores are getting on the bandwagon when it comes to service. Saturday we also had to stop at Lowe's and Home Depot. In each store when we entered a very congenial service person offered us a shopping cart and asked if we wanted directions or needed a sales person. I don't know about you but that is a first for us. I hope other stores will get the idea that this is a buyers' market and service is king.

QUESTION OF THE DAY!

What are you reading?

Answer to QUESTION OF THE DAY! last Friday: What employers are doing right in this challenged ecomony is not always laying off the older more expensive employee. A lot of workers 55+ are now holding on to their jobs as employers are realizing the experience these workers contribute will get the business farther, faster in the long run. Not to say I don't sympathize with the young workers with families to raise but I'm glad to see that there is a little more equity going into employers' decisions.

Take care,
Pam

DELISH

Ooooh! Have I found a good one. Yesterday we were delivering to a customer and while Al chatted I browsed and came upon this delicious product. Do-Goodie brownies. Of course I had to buy one, the Brown Sugar Blondie, and give it a try. D E L I C I O U S! More of a blondie than I have ever had before. They also have 3 brownies, Chocolate Fudge, Expresso Bean and Walnut Fudge. Somehow I can't imagine they would be any less than the blondie. So... in order to prove that point I bought all 3 brownies. And I was right, of course. Each flavor is top notch. Then when I got back to the office I checked out their website and got quite a nice surprise. All of their profits go to the Greyston Foundation which supports jobs, childcare, health care and housing for the underpriviledged. Wow! That is a really special business that not only makes a number one product but also cares about community and does their share to help. Makes the grade for me. Check out http://www.dogoodiebrownies.com/. By the way, Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield founders of Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream are big fans. I'll take their recommendations any day.

Have you figured out the answer to Wednesday's QUESTION OF THE DAY? The answer is LIBRARIES. These wonderful institutions that we so easily take for granted are seeing increased usage daily and yet due to shortfalls in state budgets they are cutting hours and services and help. What a shame. Workers looking for jobs are using the computers, readers who have dropped magazines subscriptions are checking out and reading at home and children are going to libraries more often for outings. As I said they are wonderful institutions and can use all the help we can give them. What a great place to volunteer.

GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY!
I just read where a federal fisheries council in Seattle voted unanimously to recommend that U.S. Artic waters be closed to commercial fishing. This is to help protect marine life in these waters.

QUESTION OF THE DAY!
What are employers doing "right" when laying off?

Take care,
Pam

A BRIGHT WEDNESDAY

Well, we are past Ground Hog Day; he saw his shadow so 6 more weeks of winter. Are we surprised? However, today is bright and sunny and even if it is cold the sun warms your heart.

I've been reading lately that one of the positive things in this economy is COMFORT FOOD. Yes, many of us are opting for those delicious homemade soups of our youth, fresh baked cookies that leave that a tempting aroma in our home and hot, fresh brewed coffee made in our own kitchen. Of course these goodies urge us to invite a neighbor or friend over to share (better for you and more fun than the drive to Starbucks) and that makes for a little less isolation. When life gets a little rougher than we are used to we tend to hunker down into ourselves. Not good. What we need during down times is a stronger sense of intimacy. This is illustrated even in the increased use the web with MySpace and Facebook leading the way. In the winter with the bad weather making it harder to get out and meet and greet these 2 websites play an even more important roll in helping us interact and gain a larger sense of involvement. But the bottom line is we need to share our thoughts and lives a little more than usual which makes us more helpful to others and in turns helps ourselves.

GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY!
Did you hear what Denny's restuarants did yesterday? They served free breakfasts to anyone and everyone showing up on their doorsteps between 6am and 2pm. This cost Denny's $5,000,000 and I have to say that was probably a wonderful boost to a lot of people and also some of the best advertising dollars ever spent. And just think of the great social outlet for many people that are not getting out like they should. Kudos to Denny's!!!

QUESTION OF THE DAY!
What place is experiencing a good size increase in business and losing more money at the same time? We'll talk about this on Friday.

Take care,
Pam

IN THE BEGINNING...

Here we go ~ 1, 2, 3, LAUNCH: I'm Pam and my other 1/2 is Al and together we sell gourmet food wholesale to retailers through our business the Shattuck Sales Company and our website http://www.findinggourmet.com/. I started the business out of my home in Seattle 16 years ago and 2 years later moved it to Boston when I met Mr. Oh So Right. The hard part was leaving my family in Seattle but it has proven to be a wonderous and profitable move. Now that we have been working hard and expanding our business we couldn't be happier with our progress. But that is enough background for the time being. In future blogs you'll hear snipits about our business and a lot about the food industry and also just about anything else that sparks our interest. Sometimes we are on the fast track and other times we lay back and take it easy. You'll hear my (and our) opinions on food, country and life in general. Check out this site Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays to catch up on the latest in our lives and the world around us.
Take care - Pam