Sunday, July 20, 2008

Day 20

Today I worked on some ideas to add to my gift stash, using the Internet and some small GP booklets that I've collected over the years. Such good information in such a small little book!

Today I thought I'd share my plans for Black Friday this year...you know, the day after Thanksgiving here in the US, the day all the retailers hope we'll be out at the crack of dawn with our travel cups of coffee and sale flyers in hand, acting like maniacs trying to get the best deals in town. I'm not criticizing anyone-I've been there, done that, bought the t shirt and will likely do it again sometime! But there is a certain craziness to that day that just isn't much fun for me. So, this year, I plan to get in on the craziness in a more sane way...I'll be hosting a Black Friday Brunch for my customers to come by, shop my sale, and have a little breakfast on their way to the Next Big Sale.

I am a fashion director with Jewels by Park Lane, a home party plan line of fabulous designer jewelry. I'll be hosting the first annual Black Friday Park Lane Customer Appreciation Sale of my career! Here's a few little plans I thought I'd share with you. Details will be shared at a later date!

The menu is simple:
mini quiches (so good...actually a South Beach Diet recipe..little tiny crustless egg pies filled with fresh veggies, bits of bacon, ham and cheese. Yummy!)
fresh fruit cups (little totable cups of fruit)
ham and biscuits
muffins-blueberry, strawberry and banana nut is the plan
slices of coffeecake
a selection of juices, coffee and tea

I'll have my jewelry table set up in the living room and the food in the eat-in kitchen on the table and island. The house will still be decorated in it's fall finery, because we'll be hosting the Miller family Thanksgiving on Saturday (you're coming, right, Becki?)

I'll have some door prizes, bonus gifts for booking holiday parties with me and a fun drawing for a grand prize...to be named later!

I also will have some take home favors for everyone! Here's one I'm considering.

Shopper's Tired Tootsie Peppermint Foot Scrub
Ingredients:
Sea salt
Peppermint Essential Oil
Directions:
Mix 1/4 cup sea salt with 3 drops peppermint oil. Rub on feet, then soak in warm water.

Doesn't that sound lovely after a day of chasing bargains?

I'm planning on packaging this in little tiny jelly jars, with a cute little label on each and an instruction tag to go along with it. I might get really creative and add some food coloring to tint it...or I might just end up putting it in little snack sized ziplocks, depending on how my time/money/energy go! And, I use Epsom salts instead of sea salt when I can't find sea salt.

And, before I forget again..here's that Fabulous Five Minute Fudge recipe that I've promised so long!

Ingredients:
1 12 oz. package semi-sweet chocolate pieces ( 2 cups) (I use milk chocolate chips instead)
2/3 c. sweetened condensed milk (one half of a 14 oz. can)
1 tablespoon water
3/4 cup chopped walnuts, if desired (I use pecans or cashews...not a walnut fan)
1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:
Line a cookie sheet with waxed paper; set aside. In a medium microwave safe bowl, combine chocolate pieces, sweetened condensed milk, and water.

Microwave, uncovered, on 100% power (high) for 1 minute; stir. Microwave about 1 minute more, or until chocolate is meted and mixture is smooth, stirring every 30 seconds. Stir in nuts and vanilla. Pour mixture onto prepared cookie sheet and spread it into a 9x6 inch rectangle, or drop mixture by rounded teaspoons onto prepared cookie sheet.

Chill fudge about 30 minutes or until firm. Cut fudge into 1 1/2 inch squares. Makes 24 pieces.

This freezes like a dream. I've frozen a double batch in October, wrapped in a double layer of plastic wrap, then wrapped in foil, and it was very good at Christmas!

Cut it into squares and place them in candy papers (like mini cupcake liners, but made for candy. You can get them at Michael's and Hobby Lobby and probably lots of other places), then put them in a gold candy box (same sources), and wrap it all up with a foofy sheer gold ribbon. It looks fabulous and elegant, and tastes even better!

Hope you got some gems to use today!

What are YOU doing to get ready for Christmas in July?

Merry, Merry!
Cathy

6 comments:

  1. I love reading you site. I just found it from MHH. I was going to let you know that thrift stores and goodwill is a good way to find those jelly jars. I just bought 3 dozen sealed for $3.13 this past week here at our local goodwill and only 2 were broken. Merry Christmas in July :O)

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  2. I think the "Shopper's Tired Tootsie Peppermint Foot Scrub" sounds lovely. It's a perfectly festive way to end what is a long day for some.

    I never thought to use cashews in fudge. Thanks for the tip!

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  3. Of course I'll be there!! It's a Tradition and I love Traditions. You know I really thought making new traditions would be harder when the Grandparents died, but we've really enjoyed coming to your house for the last few years and it will actually be what my kids grow up remembering, Thanksgiving at Lynn & Cathy's instead of Grandpa's. (well actually they call it Thanksgiving at Jacob, Benji & Jonah's)

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  4. I just accidentally found your site googling "party plan" and I love it! I love your idea for a Black Friday open house, I may just try that for my business. That is one of those "Why didn't I think of that?" ideas!! Best of luck in your biz and in all you do!
    Karen Clark
    Story Time Felts

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  5. I would love to have your recipe for the quiche!

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  6. Cathy,
    I just love reading everything you write! Thanks for all of your wonderful ideas and recipes. You are a blessing.
    Angie - from the OC message boards!

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About Me

I love to cook, decorate, entertain and plan the holidays. I'm wife to one handsome man and mom to three handsome boys, I love God, my family and my country. I'm the one at the small town parade waving the American flag!! Almost all the holidays are celebrated at our house, and we like it that way!!