Thursday, April 15, 2010

Thursday 15 April - High Five Day


This is a nod to the things Moms do for their children, no matter how old they are! My daughter just had a baby. I'm sure all of you remember the food cravings you had while pregnant. One of my daughters' became cupcakes. She and her husband have transferred across country to TN and they don't have one of those cute cupcake places. However Mom lives in Tacoma and we do. Ring, ring of the phone: Mom, when you come out here, would you bring some cupcakes from Hello Cupcakes? Of course, the answer is, no problem.

In hindsight perhaps I shouldn't have been so hasty! Here follows my tale of taking cupcakes from Tacoma, WA to Clarksville, TN.

I had to park 3 streets up and walk down to Hello Cupcakes. Worth it though, Hello Cupcakes is a delight to the senses. It's cute, warm and inviting. Luckily my daughter had been on the website and had an idea of what she wanted. A quick phone call and I'd ordered and picked up 1/2 dozen. The cupcakes are cushioned in its own little round slot to ensure only the slightest of movement and then enclosed in a pink box, announcing to the world, "Sweets Inside".

Not so fast!! On the way back to the car, a bicyclist whizzed past me and in my effort to save the cupcakes, I fell! How are the cupcakes, is my first thought not have I broken anything! Luckily, the cupcakes are OK and I haven't broken anything but my pride. Wouldn't that have been something, a trip to the hospital hours before leaving for TN!

My suitcase is packed and I'm on my way to the airport. My ankles throbbing but I'm determined to ignore it. Suddenly I have a thought, what if TSA decrees I can't take the cupcakes thru security!?? It's a bit late to have that thought, so I'm going to pull up my big girl panties, suffer the consequences if it happens and eat 6 cupcakes before getting on the plane!

Going thru security for the first time in years, the buzzer goes off. Ma'am, step over here, take off your belt and necklace and come back thru. OK, all done and clear. Time to put my shoes and jacket back on, laptop in my bag and most important, pickup my cupcakes. I spoke too soon!!! There are 2 TSA women standing in front of my things. Ma'am there's a problem, the cupcake frosting can't go thru security. It's amazing how fast I forgot the big girl panty thing...I rolled my eyes and thought, you have got to be kidding me, what scrape off the icing! I opened my mouth to complain and they burst out laughing!! We're kidding, the cupcakes look so good and we're both on diets. Who are they for?? Laughs and hugs and I'm on my way.

All airports are not created equal. Some have way too many escalators. Ever try to get on one with a tote bag on your shoulder, rolling suitcase and a box of cupcakes? Not so easy. Thank you to whoever invented elevators.

I made it to my daughter's home, cupcakes in hand. My grandson is adorable, my daughter and son-in-law are tired but healthy. The cupcakes are pronounced divine. High Five to Hello Cupcake on Pacific Ave!

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Facebook | Anew Thyme

Facebook | Anew Thyme

Thursday, 1 April - International Fun at Work Day


I certainly have fun at work! I own my own shop, Anew Thyme. I'm one of over 20 independently owned shops inside Sanford & Son Antiques. I sell stylish, gently worn maternity clothes, handcrafted baby items and other gifts.

This past Monday, 29 March was National Mom & Pop Business Owner Day. A great celebration of what made America what it is today. How sad though that in the last few years, small businesses are struggling. How many of you know of a small shop with great customer service or the knack of having just the right item for that hard to buy for person? Do you tell others or keep it a secret? Keeping it a secret will cause that "cute shop" on the corner to close along with the cozy coffee shop next door!

Break that habit, celebrate what makes Tacoma unique! Believe me that's not WalMart, Target, WaldenBooks or any of those type of stores you see in any major city in America. What makes Tacoma who we are? Check out Cappy's Produce on 72nd and Portland, Nine Lives Vintage at Freighthouse Square, Vanity on 6th Ave, Millesime Designs on Broadway. These shops are just the very tip of what's offered in Tacoma. Support them and it all comes back to you and the City of Tacoma!
Tschuss

Saturday, March 20, 2010


Friday, 19 March Poultry Day
Step out of your comfort zone and take a chicken to new culinary heights! Last night on the way home I stopped at Cappy's Produce (72nd & Portland). I needed bell peppers and knew I could get them fresh and at a great price!

Didn't quite make it straight home since the Goodwill is across the street. I couldn't possibly pass it by, what if there's something I just couldn't live without? Who's kidding who, any excuse will do!

20 minutes later, 2 maternity tops and a display piece for my shop (Anew Thyme).

Country Captain Chicken
Season chicken with salt & black pepper. Brown the chicken, remove and saute chopped onions, garlic, ginger, bell peppers (green, red, yellow, orange - whatever you have), chopped tomatoes or a can of stewed tomatoes for 10-15 minutes. Sprinkle curry powder over, to taste. If you used fresh tomatoes, add about 1 cup of chicken broth. Simmer for 10 minutes. Put chicken in an ovenproof dish, pour sauce over. Put in a 325 degree oven for 2hours. Before serving add golden raisins. Serve with rice and a salad.
Enjoy!

While the chicken cooks in the morning, make a list of the yardsales in your area. Spring officially begins tomorrow and so does the beginning of yardsales!

When is a doorknocker not a doorknocker? When it's used to frame a peephole in a door! Laurel saw a doorknocker in Millesime Designs and just had to have it and found a unique way to make it her own.

Pen/paper, measuring tape, map, fully charged cellphone, open mind? Ready, set, GO, see you at a yardsale!!!
Tschuss

Friday, March 12, 2010

Thursday 11 March Worship of Tools Day


My tools to worship are my dressmaker shears and my Husqvarna sewing machine!

I'll put both to use this weekend on a cute swing skirt I purchased at Sage (inside Sanford & Son Antiques)for $10. I love swing skirts cause they hide your hips and give a wonderful flow to the body as you move.

On to Crochet Circle after work tonight but couldn't pass by Valley Liquidation, 9813Pacific Ave without stopping. Although this store sells all manner of items, what I shop for is the produce. You read it correctly, produce. Don't let the ugly yellow building and cyclone fence fool you, the prices are beyond compare. I bought 3 pears, 1 English cuke, 3 big lemons and 5 small avocados. My bill, $3.49!!! and I had a nice conversation with a guy that told me all the ways to fix an avocado. Military discount day is Monday.
Tschuss

Sunday, March 7, 2010

7 March - National Crown Roast of Pork Day


I just get a kick that we make a celebration out of everything!

Friday, 5 March was Multiple Personality Day. I think it was named for me (but just this one time) Today Summer (Millesime Designs)and I took time out from running our shops to mark spaces and do all the last minute things for the First Annual Spring Flea Market, tomorrow at Sanford & Sons Antiques. This evening I've got to pull all the items I want to sell, clean them up, price them, list some of the items on Craigs and pack my car! Just writing this makes me tired all over again.

Up at 6am to be at Sanford's by 7. What was I thinking agreeing to work on this event?

The Flea Market was a great success. I sold a fair amount AND managed to keep most of my money. That's the secret you know, keep more $$$ than you buy!
I purchased a beautiful hand painted picture for $5, an embroidered piece I'll use for my dining room table ($5)and after looking over a light fixture I was thinking would work in my shop's office space - the vendor gave it to me, SWEET!! Just a bit of elbow grease and a trip to Home Depot (did you know they give a 10% discount to military folks?) for a lighting kit and it's ready to hang.
Tschuss

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

3 March - I want you to be Happy Day

I'm happy! Today I explored the 72nd/Portland St area.
My first stop - Thrift City,904 72nd St. E,the parking lot is filthy! What,you say, does that have to do with anything? We all know we shouldn't judge but first impressions? Life's an adventure so I'm going in! Oh boy, first glance inside, not filthy by any means but not too inviting. This shop is definitely for thrift shopper pros, ready to roll up their sleeves and wade in. Ladies, don't think about trying on anything in this store, the smallest, most dismal dressing room ever and it doesn't lock! Although the comments so far have been a bit negative, I found a 100%silk dress for $9, YES!

As I'm walking back to the car, I noticed a Taco Bus, Taqueria El Jacalito. I guess I was so fixated on the dirty parking lot that it didn't register on my brain - FOOD. I've already had lunch so I'll have to come back. A nice size menu, tacos listed at 99cents. The area around the Taco Bus is very clean.

Just down the street is Cappy's Produce,1232 72nd St.E. A farmer's market stand inside a converted store front. Fresh produce, great prices. I bought basil with roots attached, 2 for $2.99 and Yukon Gold Potatoes for 99cents lb. (these are the best potatoes, reminds me of the ones I ate while living in Germany).

Across the street is Goodwill. Today green tags were 99cents and purple was 50% off. I walked out with 3 wide belts, less than $3 and a beautiful maternity top that I'll take to my shop.

Time to go home!

I passed the Portland Street Nursery and it reminds me (again) that I need to start spring clean-up and set an appointment with the women of Serenity Gardens to give me some help with my yard. We can't know it all, so go to those that are experts in their field.
Tschuss