American Spirit and Friends

Longaberger Basket Group

TLC FOODS – Layered Bean Dip

I have the best customers and so many have become friends. Love that.  Weaving Friendships is all about connecting and sharing our love of Longaberger.  This month I made a few TLC Foods for everyone to sample and we had a drawing for a Candy Corn Mug.  I remembered to take a few snapshots and wanted to share the night with you.

First off…the prep.  TLC FOODS make it so easy.  This time I did a take on the old traditonal 7 Layer Dip and Key Lime Vanilly Cups.  Yum-O!

Layered Bean Dip with a Longaberger Twist

• 1 lg can refried beans (I use no fat)
• 2 tbls. TLC’s Southwest Seasoning Blend (you can add more but this is plenty spicy)
• 1 lg avacado
• 1 can diced green chilies
• 1 can sliced black olives
• 1/2 to 3/4 cup TLC Sweet and Spicy Salsa
•  1 80z light sour cream
• 1 1/2 cups of grated cheese (love to use pepper jack cheese for this)
• 1 lg diced tomato

Mix 1 tbls of Southwest Seasoning Blend with the can of refried beans.  Spread into the 9 x 13 Baking Dish.  Mix together the avacado and green chilies, spread on beans.  Spread Sweet and Spicy Salsa on next.  Add 1 tbls of Southwest Seasoning Blend to the sour cream.  Spread over the salsa.  Add the black olives, then the cheese and top with diced tomato.  Refrigerate until ready to eat.  Serve with your favorite taco chips. 

TLC Foods...an exciting addition!

TLC Layered Bean Dip in the 9 x 13 Baking Dish

Woven Dish Covers are the very best for making ahead or storing the leftovers.

Say Goodbye to Longaberger’s Medium Gathering Basket

This basket was one of my very first purchases way back when.  It has since become a daily user and has multiplied over the years.  But who’s counting and don’t tell my husband!

Medium Gathering Basket ($82) in Warm Brown, Rich Brown and Deep Brown is retiring August 31st.  If you already have this basket, you may want to get an extra protector ($13) or update your Liner ($26).

First of all the Gathering Basket was designed to fit between the garden rows…it was affectionately called the Pick and Kick basket.  Pick and Kick the basket on down the garden row.  Get it?

So long Medium Gathering

Here’s my Top 10 Uses:
1.  Holds magazines
2.  Use on top of your fridge for snacks
3.  Will easily hold 2 loaves of bread
4.  VHS tapes (does anyone have these?) or DVD’s/CD’s
5.  Great for gaming stuff
6.  9 ax 13 Baking Dish w/cover fits inside for easy transport – did you know that wood is a “natural insulator” so your food will stay hot or cold, longer in a Longaberger Basket?
7.  In and Out Basket for mail
8.  Fill it as a seasonal centerpiece.  Gourds and pumpkins are beautiful in the fall. Bulbs and greenery for Christmas.
9.  Flower or veggie picking basket (use a protector!)  Yes, I do use my baskets outside.
10. I often use it for buffets, filled with ice and several crocks (taco bar!), bowls or a pie plate.
 
Here’s a great story about the Longaberger’s.   JW’s favorite dessert was Strawberry Shortcake.  When it was late spring and time for berry picking, JW would take the kids to Mitchell Hill for picking.  With rope and twine, he would tie the kids together in a line so their hands would be free to pick berries, and they would all be safe and stick together. They also picked berries along the old RR track area of Dresden.  I guess with 12 children, he had to do something to make sure they all got home to Grandma Bonnie in one piece.

One Hundred + One Uses for the One Pint Crock

This little gem is going away...order by August 31st!

Got to get you one of these crocks!  You can bake in it, freeze in it, microwave in it and it goes in the dishwasher for easy clean-up!  Sized just right at 4 ¼”d x 3 ½”h, it holds a perfect 16 oz!  Heat it up to keep foods warm longer or chill in the freezer to keep foods cold.  Honestly, I have burned several candles in mine and then baked or added a dip mix or salsa to it.  The non-porous glaze makes this possible. 

1. Plastic utensils or the real deal silverware
2. Plastic Cups
3. Smaller utensils on your counter
4. Store measuring spoons
5. Great sugar bowl
6. Seasoning Packets
7. Serve nuts or candy
8. Cream Cheese, Butter or Cheese Spread
9. Melted Cheese for Nachos
10. Individual servings – soup or chili
11. Condiments – pickles, olives, etc.
12. A bag of Hershey Kiss fits perfectly!  I do know this!!!
13. Sweetener Packets
14. Napkins
15. Bread sticks
16. Pretzels
17. Pretzel Rods dipped in Chocolate – yum-o!
18. Dips for veggies, salsa or hot caramel
19. Ice Cream toppings
20. Individual Desserts
21. Toppings for Baked Potatoes
22. Berries or Grapes
23. Holds Crystal Light drink mixes
24. Coffee filters for those smaller pots
25. BQ fixings
26. Great for using with a taco bar
27. Filled with homemade fudge or cookies for a gift
28. Mini birthday cake (fill 2/3 full and lightly grease)
29. Carrots and celery sticks
30. Can of veggies
31. Freeze individual desserts
32. Paprika Crock – ketchup
33. Butternut Crock – mustard
34. Ivory Crock – mayo
35. Sage Crock – relish
36. Sea salt or kosher Salt
37. Holds a citronella candle on the patio
38. STRAWS!  a must have at our house!
39. Mini zucchini bread or other nut bread (fill 2/3 full and light grease it)
40. Bacon grease – store in the fridge
41. On the stove as a spoon/utensil rest while cooking
42. Tea bags
43. Snacks at bunco or bridge tables
44. Use several for a center piece, with berry garland or silk ivy around them
45. Swizzle sticks
46. Cotton balls
47. Qtips
48. Eyeglasses on your nightstand
49. Reading glasses in each room of the house.  )
50. Make-up brushes
51. Toothbrush and toothpaste holder
52. Spare change
53. Set one on the dryer for surprises found in the laundry.
54. Drink holder on my desk – this is one of my favorite! 
55. Pens and pencils
56. Vase for fresh flowers
57. Planter for herb plant or silk greenery
58. Potpourri to freshen a room
59. Candle holder
60. Crayons – for the little guy
61. Store artist brushes
62. Add some water for artist brushes
63. Holds paint tubes
64. Great in a craft-room for those little things
65. Safety pins
66. Push pins and Tacks
67. Cell phones
68. Remotes on an end table
69. Stamps
70. Calculator
71. Craft punches
72. Rubber bands
73. Lose nails/screws/picture hangers
74. Add it to my basket to hold my drink on the go
75. IPod and earphones
76. Holds craft scissors
77. Holds markers
78. Holds stickers
79. Holds brads or eyelets
80. Holds embellishments for scrapbooking
81. Glues and other adhesives
82. At the sink for a sponge and scouring pad
83. Stores basket salts or decorative salts
84. Bathroom necessities
85. Lipsticks and lip glosses
86. Nail care supplies
87. Foot spa supplies
88. Utility Scissors
89. Guys pocket junk
90. Scotch tape
91. Hair clips
92. Bars of soap at sink
93. Jewelry
94. Brushes and combs
95. Hair scrunchies
96. Set on a woodstove and add some candle tarts.  The heat will melt the tarts so you can enjoy the aroma
97. Plant a plant for a co-worker’s birthday
98. Teacher’s gift
99. Under $20 Gift Exchange
100. Post-it notes and pens by the phone
101.  Great off to college gift/first home gift.  Fill it with just about anything for an affordable but functional gift.

You must have one of these crocks!   At $15 each, the hardest decision will be what color and just how many!? 

IT'S ALL ABOUT COLOR!

1 Pint Crock – A daily user is retiring!

Oh, so sad to see this little gem retire.  The 1 Pint Crock is another daily user at our house.  It’s vitrified, so you can burn a candle in it one minute, rinse it out with soap and water and put your dip in it the next.  I’m going to start a list of 100 uses.  Feel free to add to the list and I’ll get it posted by the end of the week. 

You'll get a lot of mileage out of this $15 Crock!

Hardest decison is what color to choose!

Weaving Friendships

Love our monthly customer gathering on the 4th Tuesday of each month.  Sometimes we have a “crowd” and other times it’s just a few, but it’s always great fun to talk shop…or baskets in this case.  See what’s new, what’s on sale and share ideas with my customers.   Everyone gets a punch card and with each punch, gets closer to earning Longaberger product for FREE!  The 1 Pint Crocks and Wrought Iron Easels have been a favorite and now I’ve added a Dash Bowl to the selection.  Sept 1st, TLC Foods will also be a choice.   Super munchies and/or dessert are always on the menu and we often have adult beverages!   This week we’ll be sampling TLC Foods and sharing recipes.  And did I mention a Door Prize or two?  Stop by and stay awhile…

Feeling lucky? Tuesday's Giveaway...a Candy Corn Travel Mug!

A Longaberger Pie Plate is a Girl’s Best Friend!

Longaberger Pie Plates are not just any old pie plate!  You will find yourself reaching for it over and over for so many things.  Here is a fabulous recipe, kindly shared by another Longaberger Consultant, Carol Lane of Indiana.  Yum-o!  Doesn’t this sound delish?!  Can’t wait to make it next weekend for my CAbi Show!  Enjoy and thanks to Carol for sharing!

FRITTATA  – a crustless quiche

• Use any veggies and meats you have in the fridge.  About 1 cup total.  Saute the veggies and drain. If you don’t drain, your frittata may get soggy in the fridge if you don’t eat it all the first time.  (can’t imagine this, can you?)  :o)
• Mix veggies with 1 cup shredded cheese (your choice) and 1 1/2 cups egg substitute or 6 large eggs
• Pour into your Longaberger Pie Plate and bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees or until a knife comes out of the center dry.  Let set 10 minutes before cutting.
• One pie plate will never do…you must get at least two! 

Plated on a Soft Square Ebony Plate and garnished with fresh tomato and basil.

Baked beautifully in a Longaberger Pie Plate. The Pie Plates come in Ebony, Butternut, Sage, Paprika, Ivory, Eggplant, Tomato, Cornflower and coming soon CHOCOLATE!!

Woven Dish Cover keeps it fresh in the Fridge. Easy to transport with the cover for a bake and take. Woven Dish Cover is $20 and will also fit Longaberger's 10" round Dinner Plates.

Any left? I'm sure it won't last long at my house.

Fresh and Stylish

Everyone is loving the NEW Signature Weave featuring Longaberger’s 3 stain colors.  Warm, Rich and Deep Brown…Medium Market Basket, Small Laundry Basket and Village Basket will be available through the Fall/Winter WishList available September 1st. 

BONUS!  Wednesday, August 25th you can also purchase a Signature Cake, Cracker, Bread and Holds It All Basket.  (this one’s a biggie!) 

More choices for 1 day only...Signature Weave is stylish in every home.

Longaberger Appetizer Plates

I just love these!  Sized just right at 9 1/2″l x 7″w x 1 1/4″ h, they are perfect for so many things.  And you get 2 for $29 in all of our awesome colors.  Some suggested uses:  French Dip Sandwiches, Hot Dog and Chips, Veggies and Dippin’ Sauce, Cheese and Crackers.  Great mini tray to use in the bathroom or bedroom.  Perfect for kids, but sized big enough for adults too.   The New Seasonal Fall/Winter Fabrics change up the look of the different pottery choices.  Love our colors and you will too!  APPETIZER PLATES AVAILABLE IN AUGUST ONLY at myShop.  

Dash Bowls also come in sets of 2…for $28.  For those of you who are lucky enough to have the Retired Dessert Bowls, I thought  you may like to see how they work  well with the Appetizer Plates too.  Enjoy!

Added a Paprika Dash Bowl to the Appetizer Plate in Ebony. Setting on my new favorite Fabric called Savannah Floral.

Savannah Fabric Napkin, Retired Butternut Dessert Bowl and Ebony Appetizer Plate

Retired Cornflower Dessert Bowl, Ebony Appetizer Plate and Savannah Napkin. Each different color makes the fabric pop!

Tomato Dash Bowl, Ebony Appetizer Plate on the Chelsea Paisley Napkin

Ebony and Ivory with Chelsea Paisley Napkin

Butternut Retired Dessert Bowl with Ebony Appetizer Plate on Chelsea Paisley Napkin

The Savannah Floral has just about every color in it!

Eggplant Salt and Pepper, Retired Sweetner Holder, Ebony Appetizer Plate on the new Chelsea Paisley Napkin

Quickly Becoming A Longaberger Favorite!

I am LOVING the New Plate Stands.  I have reached for them several times to use while entertaining.  Adds height to any table and they are great for Plant Stands too.  At first I thought I would try them without the WoodCraft Shelves and see what I can do with them.  I compromised with using my Pizza Pan, Dinner Plates and an older WoodCrafts Lid.  Not ideal, but it worked.  So excited that September 1st,  ALL of our WoodCraft Shelves come in Black!   The Black goes beautifully with the Wrought Iron and I’m looking forward to getting my NEW BLACK WoodCraft Shelves to go with the Plate Stands.   I’m pretty sure you will want the Shelves too…so order them together and pick the color of stain that works best for you.

Holds a Sun Tea Jar...one of my favorite uses.

Perfect fit on the counter. Longaberger Beverageware works great with this set up.

My kitchen Hoosier makes a great drink station too.

Even in Oregon, I make Sun Tea year round.

A Little Dash of This and A Little Dash of That

Salt and Pepper Shakers are a must in everyone’s household.  Longaberger has a cute little Wrought Iron Holder for our Shakers, but it’s fun to mix it up with setting them in a Dash Bowl.  A different look and you can pick the colors you like. 

Eggplant is back and it’s big!  Remember how it used to be said that you need a touch of “red” in every room?  Well now it’s purple!  It’s so on trend and some call it the “new black” in decorating.  While I’m still a red girl at heart…I have to admit this purple thing is growing on me.

Eggplant Salt and Pepper, Paprika Dash Bowl on a Savannah Floral Napkin

Eggplant Salt and Pepper, Tomato Dash Bowl and Chelsea Paisley Napkin