My Work In Progress

This is almost finished, but this is not the finished product. I will post that when I'm completely done. There is more bling added to it! I'm sitting at a volleyball tournament right now and thought I'd fiddle with my blogger app! I do have a picture of the final result but it isn't a good pic! In a couple of days I will post the real deal!!

Just Because

So I'm now inspired to try to keep the blog alive....and stumbled upon this card that I made PRE-COPIC days! I fell in love with this stamp line, Stamping Bella, years ago!



http://www.stampingbella.com/index.php?cPath=85

I see Blogger has gone through some changes since my last blogging a few months ago...I'm struggling uploading my new look, (it took forever this morning and I didn't have forever...) so, bear with me....Once I figure out how to upload a link, I'll be a happy girl.

In the meantime, my simple Just Because card will have to do! (If I recall, this was really fun to make, maybe simple is better!?)

Trudi

Been WAAAAAAAAAY LONG!

I have a sneaky hunch I uploaded this card years ago. I was feeling guilty not posting anything here for awhile! While searching through my gallery of pictures I spotted this card....I am trying to maintain my business facebook page by daily or at least every other day uploading a picture of something chocolate. I am finding facebook is a wonderful way to stay in front of my customers. I've gotten business off of it, and have become re-aquainted with retailers that I may have lost touch with over the course of 27 years of business! Wow...hard to believe it was almost 27 years ago when we started our specialty food business. We have weathered much!

Here's a link, if interested in taking a glimpse of what I "do" in my daily life! If you "like" us, you may be in for some fun pictures since I never quite know what I'm going to put on it from day to day!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Adams-Place-Country-Gourmet-Inc/203972589712383


It is: Adams Place Country Gourmet, Inc.



As far as crafting.....hmmmmmmm....I've spent a LOT of time watching my kidlets in their sports. My daughter is now taller than I am (back in the day, I was almost 5'11"), and she is only 13 years old! She's in volleyball heaven as her goal is over 6'! (I have shrunk, so I'm guessing she is probably 5'10ish) And my son is doing GREAT...thriving in basketball and now baseball season is starting! It's been almost 2 years since his tumor scare, so far it has not grown back, we go back to Children's in the next few weeks.

I promise to try to get this blog alive again. I let my SU demo status drop....placed my required order on the last day of pending and slipped through the cracks. I have proof that it came in on time and that it was at the $ it needed to be....but, got dropped. This was right in the middle of my Christmas rush, didn't have time to make the calls...so, decided to let it go....

We will see...maybe I'll look into it again...in the meantime, I'm loving being a MOM taking in every moment of my children while they are still children...yep, it does go by fast.....

I have some fun cards 3/4 of the way finished. I am HOME for the next 2 weekends...no volleyball travel, thank goodness! I want to finish these and clear the table...if and when I do...I'll post a picture! It's a fun one...just once again...LABOR OF LOVE!

Trudi

Volleyball News

I realized I never shared our exciting volleyball news....with lots of white knuckles (had a very interesting experience with club tryouts this year...) and a bit of heavy heart, we chose to leave our former club team...mostly because there was a shortage of coaches and although there was a spot on a team for her, it wasn't the best fit.

And so we have begun a new phase of the game of volleyball....on an elite traveling team!!!! This will be new and exciting for our family as we will be traveling to very large tournaments and circuit play!!!

Practices start this week! My girl is one court closer to reaching her goals!!!

Trudi

Quince

Probably the most talked about fruit we grow in our orchards are Quince. "What is a Quince?" is almost a daily question once the tree planted next to the driveway starts bearing fruit. Forget about the thousands of other trees...it's that one tree that draws attention the most. It looks like a fuzzy cross between an apple and a pear...many a customer is awfully surprised when they sneak one off the tree...bite into it and look out! It's not that apple pear taste they expected!

I googled the definition...not so sure the Wikipedia version is as accurate as mine, I'm sure there are several hybrid varieties since the pilgrims. (I learned that quince was a staple item on the ships to help prevent scurvy...sounds good to me, don't quote me on that though)

Quince also appeared in a favorite children's poem, "The Owl And The Pussycat", ... "they dined on mince and slices of quince" ...

Personally, I don't see how they could dine on quince...straight off the tree, it's very very bitter....that being said, it is a favorite with certain cultures. Quince are used in soups and stews in the Russian community, and the Mexican culture likes to sprinkle cayenne pepper on raw slice as a snack. So what are they used for?

Jelly. Hands down, this is MY favorite jelly! It's honey colored juice produces a rich golden jelly that is not only sweet on your morning toast, but makes a unique flavored condiment on sandwiches and meats as well. The taste is indescribable. It's one of those flavors you just have to try to understand!

My suggestion would be...if ever given the opportunity to try the jelly...you should! It's well worth it!

Trudi

I (heart) Volleyball

Finally, a little crafty item! The chocolate is actually white chocolate dipped graham crackers (shaped like pretzels) -- a product that my "day job" (aka our chocolate/specialty food business...if interested, www.adamsplacecountrygourmet.com or on facebook: Adams Place Country Gourmet, Inc.) manufactures. This time of year, this product is fairly popular, it makes a nice stand-alone gift item for the holidays. Anyhow, whenever I need a quick personal gift, I typically don't look much farther than my own business...yesterday was the last middle school volleyball match for my daughter...next we are on to club tryouts.... This year was my daughter's first year to play school ball...she has played volleyball on the club level since she was 8 years old...but, finally, as a 7th grader, she was able to play. The 6th graders and under are not allowed to play off campus sports, a distict wide policy...probably not a bad one, but one that has been difficult for my daughter since she EATS, SLEEPS AND DRINKS volleyball!!!!! What a fun year it has been. The girls bonded so well, and new friendships were made...my daughter was a true team player and we came off the season with nothing but positive memories! (And 7 out of 10 wins!) She played 2 positions, something that is only going to help her as she grows with this sport! I wanted to show the coaches our appreciation...her leadership skills were just waiting to appear on the court...up to now, she's been the youngest on her club team and never confident to take that role...and that she did FINALLY! I couldn't decide if it was appropriate to do the sentiment with the "Hokey Pokey"....it's sort of a little joke often from coaches ... and I didn't want to imply anything...so, I left it up to her which tag to use on the gifts. I made 4 and she could pick 2. What did she pick? (The hokey pokey one)....she really didn't care...she was on her cloud at the after party...so, I snuck the funny one over to her and had all the girls sign the tag. ;) Speaking of volleyball...in a couple of weeks...we may have some HUGE volleyball news to share....for now, I'm not assuming or saying anything...but, something is up...just not sure exactly yet. It's all good! :) Trudi

Halloween Display

This is my "day job". Taken at the San Francisco Giftshow. We have now been through 26 years of Halloweens!