Bill (Mr. HnH) and I are taking off Friday morning and dropping off Moses (our yellow lab) at a doggie spa/lodge.  He should come back groomed and happy!

So the store won’t be open on Friday until Noon.  Peggy will be in from 12 to 4 with Justin filling in until 6.  We will also be having different hours on Saturday…11 to 2.  Justin’s daughter is having her last soccer game…and we always say “FAMILY COMES FIRST”!

I will be back on Tuesday….with a full schedule of things to do at the store!

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I have a story to tell.  I received an email from a friend, Carla, that had four words in it that no parent should ever have to write…“Our daughter has cancer”.  Her daughter, Amy, is 26 years old and has breast cancer.  Little background on Amy…I have known her a LONG time.  I even taught her piano lessons…although she was much more interested in visiting!  I assisted with decorating their wedding (from a wheelchair – oh what I did to that girl!)…and have watched her grown from a farm girl to a second grade teacher here in Laurens.  Her husband, Walker, and Amy have a one-year-old son that is the joy to their lives.

I kept throwing it around in my mind…it just bugged me to no end.  Then Bill finally said “she is you”.  Flood gates of tears.  We were around Amy and Walker’s ages when we had medical and funeral expenses that were beyond belief.  It was such a stressful time in our life.  So…as Amy (with such a positive attitude…might I add) goes on her journey of defeating cancer – the one thing I wish for is that they don’t stress out about money.  I contacted her two best friends…Amanda and Samantha…and they helped figure out a way to raise some money.  Amanda went around to businesses in town and asked for donations (which I am proud to say….Heart ‘n Home is a sponsor) and we bought 1000 bracelets as seen in the picture.  We are asking for a donation of $3 per bracelet – and all the money goes directly to Amy.  So if you are in Laurens – please stop in and pick up a bracelet.

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We have SEVEN (yes…7!) couples registered at Heart ‘n Home!!!  You can find them all right here.  The next shower is May 25th for Tanya Schmidt and Wyatt Wirtz.  We will be delivering (remember…we offer free delivery and gift wrapping!).

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You can keep up with all of our ever-changing hours by hitting the tab on top or clicking right here:  Calender & Events

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Here are some photos from around the store…enjoy!!!!  Visit with you next week!!!

So with that in mind – we are going to open later tonight (Thursday) and on Saturday.  Not that we would anticipate you procrastinating for Mother’s Day…but just in case!  You can check out all the hours (and events) by clicking right here.

SPECIAL NOTE:  We will also be open Monday, May 13th (with graduation coming around the corner – better be available!) from 10 to 4

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We have been adding a lot of new goodies that any mother would love to have.  If you live long distance and have a mom or a mom-type that you would like to send something to….just give us a call at 712.841.2546 (toll-free 1.866.627.3780) and we can help you select over the phone, wrap and deliver for free.  There are many thing that aren’t on the website – so give us a call!!!

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Next week I (Julie) will be out of the store on Friday and Saturday.  Peggy and Justin are in charge.  So on Friday we won’t be opening until noon.  Again – all changes of hours are here.  I told them to let the wine flow…so stop and try a sample.

Where am I headed too?  Bill (Mr. HnH) and I are headed to St. Louis to see Adam and his girlfriend, Sarah.  I will be sure to take plenty of pictures and share them with you.  We haven’t been gone this long (with the exceptions of medical complications) since 2008.  And we will only be gone 4 days!  I really feel like I need a few days off and to run away.  I consider a creative soul like a bank account….if you keep withdrawing and never put in deposits – you are broke.  I need some new surroundings to renew my soul.  I remember coming back from France and created non-stop!!!!

So before taking off – I am busy getting framing done.  Plus custom floral arrangements done.

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But I also have my eye (and calendar!) on Memorial weekend.  Remember that we do silk arrangements for memorial stones.  We also have coming in more wrought iron cross stands.  For the top of memorial stones – we have in stock the holders for arrangements.  They cost $7 each….however, if you have an old one that still works – we would love to reuse it for you and create a new arrangement!  Plus we have strong stems for vases – remind us to show you a trick of how to use them so you don’t need to do anything more than just stick them in and they will stay!!!!

One more note about memorial arrangements – you don’t need to spend a fortune.  The more you spend – the more likely it will be stolen.  (Funny story – a customer wrote on her memorial holder “God is Watching You” – it has been with her for years!!!!).  We can create a nice looking arrangement but within budget.

Oh!  (Man…do I have a LOT to say today!!!) – we have aqua tubes with like spikes on the ends.  The run $1.50 each.  When I was a little girl, I would help my grandmas put arrangements at the cemetaries…and they didn’t miss one relative!  We would wrap fresh lilacs or peonies in wet paper towels or newspapers and lay them on the site.  The aqua tubes would do the same thing…but help keep it in the ground.  So you can pick from your garden a flower or two for memorials.  This also helps so you don’t have to go retrieve them later.

If you live out-of-town and want a memorial placed on a loved one’s site – just call and we are more than happy to do that for you.  Give us your email address and we can send you a picture of it on the site, if you wish.

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Wanted to remind you of the wine tasting we are having with Tassel Ridge Winery tomorrow (Friday, May 3rd) from 4 to 7.  Like I often say…”they are paying for the wine…try as much as you like”!  I’m excited to see what John will be pouring!  Plus a nice way to find a wine for the soon-to-be bonfires, Mother’s Day, or “just because” moments.

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I have been working on simplifying and updating the website.  We have a few more bridal couples to get on for the registry.  But check out the tabs up above and you might notice some of the changes.

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We will be delivering to the bridal shower this Saturday, May 4th for Grace Christensen, bride-elect of Tyler Smith in Albert City.  There will also be another shower for the couple on June 8th in Laurens.

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A great way to see when showers are, if we have a change of hours, events that are going on, etc…is to click on the tab above that says CALENDAR & EVENTS.  You will notice that on May 17 & 18th that Julie (me) will be out of the store but the staff will be in charge.  Click on an event for more details.  Also in July you will see that we will BE OPEN ON JULY 4TH!!!  That is so I can take the next week off (Adam is coming home and we are taking a family holiday then).  So if you ever wonder….simply head to the website and click on that tab!!!

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We have the recipes from our last Thursday’s Spring Open House (thanks for all the fun y’all!) right here:  DIPSY DAISY RECIPES.  A big thank you to Katie of Dipsy Daisy for all the wonderful food and to Austin of Santa Maria Winery for bringing his expertise!!!

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Hope to see everyone for May 3rd’s wine tasting.  We are getting a lot of amazing new items for Mother’s Day!!!

Recipes from our second Spring Open House on April 25, 2013

Recipes are all created by Katie of Dipsy Daisy which is a line of gourmet dips that Heart ‘n Home is proud to carry!

Bacon Ranch Pinwheels

Click here ->Bacon Ranch Pinwheels for a printable pdf of this recipe

1-8oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened

5 pieces bacon

1 pkg. Everything’s Better With Ranch Dip Mix

2 green onions, chopped

1/3 c. shredded pepper jack cheese

2 pkgs. refrigerated crescent rolls

Chop the bacon slices and fry until crispy; drain on paper towels. Mix the cream cheese, dip mix, scallions, and shredded cheese together. Stir in the bacon pieces. Roll out one of the packages of crescent roll dough and push the seams together with your fingers to make a rectangle. Spread half of the dip mixture entirely over the dough rectangle. Roll up like cinnamon rolls; from the longest side. Continue with the other roll of crescent rolls. Put into the freezer for about 10 minutes for easier slicing. Cut into 1” slices and lay on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 350º oven for about 15 minutes or until golden brown. Allow to cool on baking sheet.

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CranApple Cinnamon Enchiladas

CLICK HERE -> CranApple Cinnamon Enchiladas FOR THE PRINTABLE PDF RECIPE

1-21 oz. can apple pie filling

8-8 in. flour tortillas

1 CranApple Cinnamon Dip Mix

½ c. butter

½ c. sugar

½ c. brown sugar

½ c. water

Spoon a ¼ cup of the pie filling along the edge of a tortilla. Roll up burrito-style and lay into a greased 9 x 13 in. baking dish. Continue filling the tortilla shells with the apple pie filling. In a medium-sized saucepan, begin by melting the butter; then stir in the dry dip mix, the sugars, and the water. Bring to a boil over medium heat while stirring. Reduce heat and simmer an additional 3 minutes. Remove from heat and pour evenly over the apple enchilada; making sure to cover entirely. Allow to sit on the counter for 45 minutes. (This is a very important step and allows the tortilla shells to become “pie crust tender”.) Bake in a preheated 350º oven for 20 minutes or until golden and bubbly.

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Dill Potato Salad Bites

CLICK HERE -> Dill Potato Salad Bites FOR THE PRINTABLE PDF RECIPE

1-3 lb. bag small red potatoes

2 T. olive oil

1 T. Kosher or sea salt, coarse grind

1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

1/2 c. mayonnaise

1/2 c. sour cream

1 pkg. Cucumber Dill Dip Mix

1 tsp. yellow mustard

1 celery stalk, diced

2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped

1 green onion, chopped

Wash potatoes in a strainer and allow to dry. Pour the potatoes onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and drizzle with the olive oil. Sprinkle with the salt and pepper and roll the potatoes back and forth to coat evenly. Bake in a preheated 350º oven for about 20-30 minutes or until the potatoes are completely tender when pierced with a sharp knife. Remove from oven and set aside until cool enough to handle. Cut potatoes in half and with a melon baller, remove the center of each potato half. Put potato centers into a small bowl and roughly mash. Mix together the mayo, sour cream, mustard, and dip mix. Stir in the eggs, celery, green onion, and potato centers. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Put the chilled potato salad into a plastic quart baggie and snip off the corner to fill the potatoes.

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Taco Wonton Cups

CLICK HERE -> Taco Wonton Cups FOR A PRINTABLE PDF RECIPE

1 pkg. Taco Seasoning & Dip Mix, divided

1 lb. ground beef

½ tsp. baking soda

¼ c. salsa

¾ c. shredded cheese, divided

1 pkg. wonton wrappers

black olive slices or jalapeno slices

1/3 c. sour cream

Mix together the hamburger, baking soda, and 1 T. of the dip mix in a small bowl and set aside for 20 minutes. Brown hamburger in a small skillet until cooked through and drain any excess grease. Allow to cool thoroughly and stir in the salsa and ½ c. of the cheese. Put a wonton wrapper into each well of a mini muffin tin. Bake in a preheated 350º oven for about 3 minutes. Fill each cup with a spoonful of the meat mixture and add a little sprinkle of cheese to the top of each one and an olive or jalapeno slice for garnish. Bake for an additional 10-12 minutes or until golden. (Lay a piece of foil over the top for the first 5 minutes so they don’t get too dark.) Mix together the sour cream and the remaining dip mix and put a little dollop on the top of each wonton cup.

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Wanted to let you know what is going on this Thursday, April 23rd.  It is the town of Laurens’ Spring Open House….and Heart ‘n Home participates.  We will be open from noon to 8.

From 5 to 8 we have Santa Maria Winery coming to sample 6 or 7 different wines.  Plus Dipsy Daisy is sampling out 2 of their new wine slushies plus their gourmet dips.

We are also having a SPRING CLEANING SALE!!!  We have so much new stuff in the back and we can’t get it out….so time to move things out.  We are pricing things up to 75% off!!!! Melters will be leaving (normally $3.95) for only $1.00!!!  We have a selection of placemats that were $4.95….that will be on sale for $1.00!!!!!  Framed prints, lotions and body products, towels, bath robes, and much more are on the sale table.  Otherwise look for the cut out pink flower for a sale!!!!  (Not everything fits on the table!!!!)  That will start at noon on Thursday.

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Make sure you sign up for the Laurens Retail Trade’s door prize this Thursday.  Each participating business has donated a gift (you can see it in our small window) that we will be drawing for and announcing on Thursday evening.

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So…all of our new stuff will be out by Friday, May 3rd – that is when Tassel Ridge Winery will be here for a wine tasting from 4 to 7!  Great time to check out the changes we are working on!!!!

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Check out our bridal registries – we have 3 fantastic couples currently registered …with more to come!

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See you this Thursday…you might want to come at noon to get the bargains….and come back later for the PARTY!!!!

Until now!

A good friend helped me find a great branch (small tree?) and we placed it by the pallet.  Then to hang our jewelry we used…ummmm….what do we have around here?  Looking around trying to come up with something we can re-use.  Got it!!  CORKS!  But we need to break it up a little with shelves.  Ta-Dah!!!!  Books!  So this is how it looks:

We have some great new neighbors across the street….The Silver Dollar Saloon.  The offer great drinks, live entertainment, and on Tuesday evenings….some of the best darn tacos!  And they are busy…always.  On Saturdays from 11 to 1 they offer beef burgers and chips for only $2.00!

So what does this have to do with Heart ‘n Home?  It is often hard to see us…let alone know if we are even open.  The parking in front of the store is often filled with extra tall trucks and such.  Last week a gal came in and said “I wasn’t sure if you were open…I drove around the block twice.”

This is a problem.  I’m not sure how to solve it….but trust me….we are working on it.  We made the open sign easier to see and read.  Plus I put LED lights around the window and they will be lit when we are open.  But I’m not sure that is the solution.

We looked into the lighted signs – but that just doesn’t seem right for Heart ‘n Home.

Do you have any suggestions?  Feel free to let us know!!!!

We have also thrown around the idea for next fall to have a back door entrance – but that would really cut into my work area for framing.  Need to ponder that thought for a while.

While I have your mind going – is there any suggestions for our hours?  We have had the same for a while – and sometimes we become unaware of changes that need to be made.  Currently our hours are:  Tuesday – Friday from 10 to 6 and Saturdays from 9 to noon.

Thanks for taking the time for reading all of this….and looking forward to hearing YOUR IDEAS!!!!

Santa Maria Winery held a Customer Appreciation Event for retailers.  So I asked our Entertaining Specialist, Peggy, and Glenda, who helps us out during special events, to join me.  The evening consisted of food, wine, information, tours, laughter, and so much more!  But they say a picture is worth a million words….so here you go:

Welcoming everyone there!

Winemaker at Santa Maria, Sean, introducing us to a fancy new machine that is basically like a blood transfusion for wine…or a wine transfusion  They are going for a more organic and less chemical additives to their wines.  This will take their wines from being fabulous to over-the-top spectacular!

Notice how Glenda in the picture is paying attention!  Sean was an excellent speaker and really informed the crowd!

We then got to go to the hidden part of the winery…and Rose (co-owner) explained what is all done down there.  I absolutely adore Rose – she is so knowledgeable ..but also has a spirit around her that is so endearing!  She is the type of girl that you want in your circle of friends!!!

Talk about a girl you want in your circle of friends…our own PEGGY!  Hmmm…that glass looks empty…

This picture kind of explains our night…we had such a good time!!!!  We not only were fed some of the most amazing food by Chef Joe (I can’t even put into words how good the cheesecake made with Rhuby Dooby was!) – and listened to two great speakers…but we simply enjoyed ourselves!

AND THEN WE GOT SOME EXCITING NEWS….(drumroll please)….

We are NUMBER NINE!  Last year when Bill, Adam, and I went to this event…we weren’t on the list.  And me being…well, me – took it as a challenge!  43% of their wines are sold by independents.  Then the numbers go down for HyVee, Fareway, and Caseys.  I am so proud of the indie spirit being alive in Iowa!!!!  We will take number 9 proudly!  But we may want a cute little plaque and shoot for the top 3 for next year!

So us, the Event Staff at Heart ‘n Home, would like to thank each and every one of you!  From the bottom of our hearts….THANK YOU!  We could not have reached this without your business, confidence in our knowledge of the product, or coming to our events to try Santa Maria Wines!

ps…they will be at Heart ‘n Home on Thursday, April 25th from 5 to 8.  A little birdie told me that maybe Rose might be doing the sampling…fingers crossed!!!!

Here is the deal:  in September I am doing a presentation on tablesettings.  I have done one in the past…but I really want to amp this one up.  It is for the Clay County Fair.

So I am looking for tables to set up.  Graduations…bridal showers…you name it!  It will be 100% free – and I will accommodate  the look to be  what you are striving for.  I just need to it to be a little more extreme…or a little more “Julie-ified”

The only thing that I ask for in return…is to be able to photograph it.  So I can do a powerpoint presentation along with a live demonstration.

So give me a call at the store (712.841.2546) or email me at julie@heartnhomeonline.com and make sure that date is free – claim it before someone else does!  There have been a few dates already declared “taken” — and I have ordered items in to match the colors they need.

I can promise you…it won’t turn out looking like this:

• First open house that Adam didn’t help at.  Never realized what an essential part of the team he is!  Thank you again to all that had to wait in line for check out!
• Big THANK YOUS to my parents, Lonney & Karen for all of their help…Aunt Mary for finding the fabulous recipes…to Peggy being the perfect hostess for our wine samplings…to Justin for helping out despite how crazy your schedule is…and to Glenda for helping out and adding the extra sparkle to the day!
• Big thank you to Mother Nature for holding off on the snow for our SPRING OPEN HOUSE…can you believe it?

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We had some extra special visitors that we had to take pictures of:

This beautiful girl had hearts all over – bless her!  You have to love someone who embraces hearts…and isn’t she simply lovely?!?!

Glenda grabbed one of my “glitter girls” – her goal is to work at Heart ‘n Home when she is old enough!!  HIRED!

Two thumbs up on both the food and the sparkling grape juice!  A future food critic?  Or just a girl with really great taste?  Doesn’t matter…she is invited to Heart ‘n Home any day!!!

Peggy was in the back pouring wine when who did I see there?  Two (out of three) nieces!  Kelli (on the left) only got to sample the sparkling grape juice….she is making me a really great-aunt in a week or so!!!!!  And thank you to Whitni for taking time out of your spring break to stop by!

And then we had our door prize that Peggy created…over $140 in retail value!!!  Isn’t it gorgeous!!?!!?

So at the end of the day…Glenda dug into the tub of registries….(love her flip-flops?  She was trying to create the “sound” of spring!)….back to the drawing….

She got ahold of one!  DRUM ROLL PLEASE….

The winner is….MEGAN SLYMAN!  Congratulations!

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We are also continuing doing the drawings on Facebook ( www.facebook.com/heartnhome ) so keep checking every day (we are posting the numbers at 7:00 pm).

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We also got quite a few Bridal Registries….one even registered during the Open House!  Check them out here:  BRIDAL REGISTERIES

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The recipes from the Spring Open House is now up on-line!  Check them all out here:  SPRING OPEN HOUSE RECIPES

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Again…thank you for all of your support!  We would not be able to do what we do without you!!!!  We will be very busy for the next few weeks doing more framing and flower arrangements!!!

HAPPY SPRING!!!