tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67859024189401022302024-02-06T20:10:11.553-08:00The View From Laurel MountainMarie and Zevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18252504274442632858noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785902418940102230.post-86199178378608375352019-11-27T03:57:00.000-08:002019-11-27T03:57:00.137-08:00He's Not Johnny Depp<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFjrBy7MrOtYdnQr-IKoDN8kIl8ig-Z5JULFNG1N61i2tT-pWpIss-owTrNQP4Lw8ZQ60FkpJhJdFQ9zv7vhyc2ilFl9VxwFEtb95zG30JNGew1cBk3zMcy0Upqxo4dMlCADvblaXoXTPp/s1600/boxes+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="238" data-original-width="350" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFjrBy7MrOtYdnQr-IKoDN8kIl8ig-Z5JULFNG1N61i2tT-pWpIss-owTrNQP4Lw8ZQ60FkpJhJdFQ9zv7vhyc2ilFl9VxwFEtb95zG30JNGew1cBk3zMcy0Upqxo4dMlCADvblaXoXTPp/s200/boxes+1.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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Like lots of kids, I loved reading stories about pirates and
their adventures on the high seas.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Unfortunately, there is a modern version of the pirate that
is less romantic and more like what pirates of old were really like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pirates were outlaws who robbed, plundered
and stole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
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Today we are faced with a new version of the pirate, aptly named,
Porch Pirate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These “pirates” scope out
homes and rob, plunder or steal packages that are left on doorsteps.</div>
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<br /></div>
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As we kick off the busiest season for shopping on line, be
aware that you could be a victim of a Porch Pirate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
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Whether you are purchasing items that you want delivered to
your home or to be delivered as a gift to someone else, there are a few things
that you can do to minimize becoming a victim of a Porch Pirate.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have your
package delivered to a secure location.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Instruct the delivery service to leave the package in a place not
visible from the street such as behind a bush or in a garage.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Have your package delivered to an alternative
address like your office or a neighbor who is always home. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->If you are going away and having your mail held,
ask to have your package delivered to the Post Office where it will be held
along with your other mail.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Install a lock box on your property.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Install a security camera.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even if it doesn’t deter the theft, it will
give police evidence for prosecution.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Track the package.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most delivery services provide tracking information.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you know a package is going to be
delivered on a certain day and time, ask someone (a neighbor) to “keep an eye
out” and take the package in until you get home.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->If you are having a package delivered directly
to a friend or family member, track it so you know exactly when it will arrive
and follow up.</div>
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<br /></div>
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If you become a victim of a Porch Pirate.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Immediately contact the seller. Many provide
replacements or refunds.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->If the seller does not respond or resolve the issue,
file a claim with the delivery service.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Call your credit card company.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most provide some kind of protection.</div>
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<br /></div>
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It is sad that the Grinch does exist but by being aware and
being proactive, we can all enjoy a Happy Holiday Season.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">Marie </span></div>
<br />Marie and Zevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18252504274442632858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785902418940102230.post-40324300882680402912019-05-22T04:54:00.002-07:002019-05-22T04:55:54.712-07:00Sunshine On My Shoulder<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZeesvgf2_wlIniclnHwn1z_hesFG77SdrvTQfMNs71ook4IqXMvsz4G_16Dh0nfHJdO4OQv5dnv9RFG8uHYx5eyhXt-fmOcY-SX7rUn6h4sEXLr0uHb7gioegelE13o5ub7-smmYtUG3/s1600/Spring.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1116" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZeesvgf2_wlIniclnHwn1z_hesFG77SdrvTQfMNs71ook4IqXMvsz4G_16Dh0nfHJdO4OQv5dnv9RFG8uHYx5eyhXt-fmOcY-SX7rUn6h4sEXLr0uHb7gioegelE13o5ub7-smmYtUG3/s200/Spring.JPG" width="139" /></a></div>
Such a beautiful day! Finally, after months of snow, freezing temperatures, rain and more rain, the sun is shining and there is a warm breeze.<br />
<br />
I'm going to take advantage of the gift of this sunny day by getting my rock garden ready for Spring plantings. I'm sure many others are also going to find reasons to spend time outdoors as well.<br />
<br />
But not everyone will be as fortunate. I'm thinking of my friend John who has spent the last several months in and out of the hospital and will not be able to spend time outside of a hospital room for some time to come.<br />
<br />
I'm sure you know someone who is in a similar situation. A friend or family member who is ill or infirmed. Someone who is in the hospital, nursing home or even confined to bed at home.<br />
<br />
If they can't go out to enjoy the sunshine, why not bring a little to them inside?<br />
<br />
At <a href="https://laurelmtbasket.com/" target="_blank">Laurel Mountain Basket Co </a>we are experts at sending sunshine and good cheer. We can help you design a gift basket full of warm wishes that will bring a smile and shed a little sunshine too.<br />
<br />
Check out our site where you can see some examples of our work then call or email us. We design unique gift basket to fit every taste and budget.<br />
<a href="https://laurelmtbasket.com/" target="_blank"><br /></a>
<a href="https://laurelmtbasket.com/" target="_blank">Laurel Mountain Basket Co </a>where gift giving won't make you a basket case.<br />
<br />
Happy Spring!<br />
<br />
Marie<br />
<br />Marie and Zevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18252504274442632858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785902418940102230.post-5819728702311837602019-02-28T05:11:00.000-08:002019-02-28T05:11:24.181-08:00A Hug In A Box<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivo-mBH51hrFAUHC4T-pEJ77k_GEFY__2yo7ea7pjyciBspahpTIFx5QcuJGEipm8XBvNTNIaWKNoAFQpXXNGF534YZSfMGN6YH1Mcv03NuD2ae6FUYctYFS9UVRYnM0xk3HmWpwJqQ4Qe/s1600/basket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="400" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivo-mBH51hrFAUHC4T-pEJ77k_GEFY__2yo7ea7pjyciBspahpTIFx5QcuJGEipm8XBvNTNIaWKNoAFQpXXNGF534YZSfMGN6YH1Mcv03NuD2ae6FUYctYFS9UVRYnM0xk3HmWpwJqQ4Qe/s200/basket.jpg" width="160" /></a></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #5e5e5e;">When I was growing up my Dad’s parents lived across the
street. We played in their yard so saw them every day. My grandmother always had a fresh baked treat for us.</span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #5e5e5e;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #5e5e5e;">My Mom’s parents and most of my aunts, uncles and cousins were a short
car ride away.</span><span style="color: #5e5e5e;"> </span><span style="color: #5e5e5e;">We were always visiting
one or another and family gatherings happened often.</span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #5e5e5e;">Today my closest family lives hours away and I have
family in every corner of the country. A cousin lives in Washington State
another lives in Kentucky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And one
nephew lives in Texas so we rarely get to visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We stay in touch via email and phone but it’s
not the same. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #5e5e5e;">There are times when I wish I could be with a family
member or friend to give them a big hug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It could be an anniversary, celebrating the birth of a baby, a house
warming, a birthday, wedding or getting a new job. Or they are recovering from
an illness or dealing with the loss of a loved one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #5e5e5e;">When a hug is not possible, a gift basket can let them
know that they are loved and thought of. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #5e5e5e;">A “care package” to a student away at school or someone
serving in the military is also ways to show love and support.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #5e5e5e;">The next time you wish you could give someone a hug,
remember that you can always send a custom designed gift basket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s like a hug in a box.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #5e5e5e;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #5e5e5e;">Call today and let us help you custom design a gift basket for someone you love. (413) 527-1243 <a href="http://laurelmtbasket.com/">laurelmtbasket.com</a></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #5e5e5e;">Marie<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />Marie and Zevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18252504274442632858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785902418940102230.post-32035510051647505042019-02-16T06:37:00.000-08:002019-02-16T06:37:07.918-08:00The Bruchetta Challenge<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8jBa7XtH1XwwHRfolO3YZQe2PhuR0ZWKxmO4CYdUlEsN1x6ZH2AkRKu2p3hfOBlsLVuMnMYa1kxDlCJzMdy0L17w8YEVPTNSi4m5Qlax6LFVs54akJNYKdrvqGY4y-UarI1Gqa1dxNacg/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="248" data-original-width="350" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8jBa7XtH1XwwHRfolO3YZQe2PhuR0ZWKxmO4CYdUlEsN1x6ZH2AkRKu2p3hfOBlsLVuMnMYa1kxDlCJzMdy0L17w8YEVPTNSi4m5Qlax6LFVs54akJNYKdrvqGY4y-UarI1Gqa1dxNacg/s200/image.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bruchetta Basket</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">All of our gift baskets are original designs are individually prepared at the time they are ordered.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">We talk with our clients to get a sense of
who will be receiving the gift basket so that we can include items that they
will enjoy.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We even had clients who have provided all of the
items and asked us to come up with the design.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Bruchetta Basket is one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Bruchetta is an antipasto consisting of grilled
bread, rubbed with garlic and topped with olive oil. Many recipes add tomato,
veggies, beans, cured meats or cheeses.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The client provided all of the ingredients,
including jars of crushed garlic and peppers, flavored olive oils as well as
cook books with various bruchetta recipes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The challenge was to place all of these items on the bread board they
also provided.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The board was boat shaped with a very narrow
base.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The items had to be placed so that
the gift was balanced enough to stand on its own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were satisfied with the results and the
client was thrilled, which is always our goal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We are always up for a challenge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next time you need something really
special, give us a call and let us help you create a gift that is truly one of
a kind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Marie<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Marie and Zevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18252504274442632858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785902418940102230.post-52562570669473614152018-10-09T10:12:00.001-07:002018-10-09T10:12:19.330-07:00Thank You Mother Nature<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg83buQgJAR_tQ21Xge_I5VdLYmFZ9nnwIGKvCVPyg_6PxwK9loKUunSH-cmr3O02H12ONhg9xHyaGMb7uYO6ZmFUoPtxiL3vg_cLwIPbMRGcvmXbN75nESQ8a7VkeG2qDAlVHZUaQstYyl/s1600/autumn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="350" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg83buQgJAR_tQ21Xge_I5VdLYmFZ9nnwIGKvCVPyg_6PxwK9loKUunSH-cmr3O02H12ONhg9xHyaGMb7uYO6ZmFUoPtxiL3vg_cLwIPbMRGcvmXbN75nESQ8a7VkeG2qDAlVHZUaQstYyl/s200/autumn.jpg" width="186" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was born here so I may be a bit prejudice but I believe
there is nothing as beautiful as Autumn in New England.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Autumn heralds the beginning of an amazing
number of celebrations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The County Fair
season is in full swing and as Farmers’ Markets are winding down, Craft Fairs
are gearing up.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Halloween is followed by Thanksgiving and Chanukah,
Christmas and New Years Eve are right around the corner. Of course there are
many more holidays that we celebrate at Laurel Mountain Basket Co. Holidays
like Bosses’ Day, Mothers – In – Law Day and Cabbage Night.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cabbage Night, also known as Gate Night, Trick Night,
Mischief Night Goose, Night, Devil’s Night or Devil’s Eve depending on where
you live, is celebrated on October 30<sup>th</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On this night, mischief makers patrol their
neighborhoods looking for gardens that have not been cleaned up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They collect the over ripe vegetables and bombard
the offending gardener’s house with the collected crop.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The trick is not to get caught or fall down while carrying
an arm load of the over ripe ammo.</div>
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For the record, our vegetable garden is cleared and ready
for Spring planting so we’re going to skip celebrating Cabbage Night again this
year and go straight to Halloween.</div>
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We only have a couple of kids in our neighborhood so we don’t
go big on the Trick or Treat thing or spooky decorations but this weekend we’ll
be buying pumpkins, flowers and cabbage kale to decorate our front steps. </div>
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I also love to bring the colors of Autumn into our gift
basket designs. The reds and rusts, yellow and oranges are so bright yet bring
a certain warmth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It may be the many holidays that come along during the season give us a feeling of
hearth and home.</div>
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Whatever the reason, Autumn and the colors of Autumn are
also loved by our clients.</div>
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Have an event or occasion coming up soon?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let us design a gift basket with the colors
of Autumn and you too will come to believe that there is nothing as beautiful
as Autumn in New England.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Marie</div>
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<br /></div>
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P.S. To see samples of designs we have created for our clients, check out <a href="http://laurelmtbasket.com/">laurelmtbasket.com</a> and let us design one just for you.</div>
<br />Marie and Zevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18252504274442632858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785902418940102230.post-66842362269032734012018-09-27T05:20:00.000-07:002018-09-27T05:21:03.242-07:00Tick, Tock<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuZ-O8_VqJSoR7jbIILFcyZxVIIymUJT-Ij2wVtD_wA5tGD__fn6dZSX1cXf7apV74fM9YdpsEwisZlFIHL7u0DZ0r0MBnlIV8zW0z52hsgiQb67rXCN9moNL7QbLbC6CkhqUHZadlBgMU/s1600/rabbit.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="486" data-original-width="550" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuZ-O8_VqJSoR7jbIILFcyZxVIIymUJT-Ij2wVtD_wA5tGD__fn6dZSX1cXf7apV74fM9YdpsEwisZlFIHL7u0DZ0r0MBnlIV8zW0z52hsgiQb67rXCN9moNL7QbLbC6CkhqUHZadlBgMU/s200/rabbit.gif" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Time is one of the most valuable commodities
we have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all have 24 hours in our
days; that’s 1,440 minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are
like me, you find that some days those minutes seem to fly by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">As much
as I love certain activities, I have to delegate them or they don’t get done.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">You may
love shopping for gifts but driving to the mall or even shopping on line can be
very time consuming. It’s even worse when you don’t know what you want to buy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">That’s
where we come in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can be your
personal shopper. We design every one of our gifts baskets to fit every
occasion and every budget. A simple five minute phone call and you’re done.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Our
corporate clients love shopping with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When they need a get well or sympathy basket for an employee they just
let us know when and where to ship and how much they want to spend and
done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Some of our clients prefer email. </span>It really can be that simple.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Don’t
really know what to get?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll talk
about choices and help you put together a gift basket that will be as
delightful to give as it is to receive.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Because every gift basket is created to order, you know it is fresh and has not been sitting on a shelf, collecting dust for months.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">We will also deliver your gift basket locally or ship it anywhere in the continental United States. We take extra care to make sure your gift arrives in a timely manner in as beautiful condition as when it left our studio.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">The next time you find that you need a gift and are running out of time, give us a call and let us create a stunning gift basket just for you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Marie</span></div>
<br />Marie and Zevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18252504274442632858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785902418940102230.post-79968409965107642862018-09-19T04:30:00.000-07:002018-09-19T04:39:13.977-07:00Create A Stress-Free Zone In Your Business<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglX3N0ZohgmGylNywnXvYvPKSIul41ACgZOY5NdV24clnQQoMnPcXg8l6eKAqRMyfIyyXPd8rEWkPTB5Nqb1kKhVtSvsg7GhyojvTum8L44mmCp3sA56QqnS9n-vcJGH0Bj9ZyQptnmSJe/s1600/Basket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="350" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglX3N0ZohgmGylNywnXvYvPKSIul41ACgZOY5NdV24clnQQoMnPcXg8l6eKAqRMyfIyyXPd8rEWkPTB5Nqb1kKhVtSvsg7GhyojvTum8L44mmCp3sA56QqnS9n-vcJGH0Bj9ZyQptnmSJe/s200/Basket.jpg" width="186" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It’s confirmed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I took one of those on line stress tests the other day and my score
indicated I have many signs of burnout like lack of energy, feeling overwhelmed,
unable to relax and inability to focus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wow, I don’t think I know anyone in business today who isn’t suffering
from “burnout”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">All of us are affected by work related stress at one
time or another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, some jobs
are more stressful than others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Air
traffic controllers, police and fire personnel come to mind, but would you have
guessed that the job of bus driver is highly stressful?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bus drivers sit for long periods of time, are
responsible for the safe operation of the bus in dense traffic while
maintaining tight schedules.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They deal
with all types of passengers, some of whom may be threatening or violent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Stress is pretty serious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It causes everything from headaches to heart
attacks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>75 to 90 percent of doctor visits
are fro stress related complaints.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But, there is hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There are many ways to reduce stress in your life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Exercise, eat right, get enough sleep, join
family and friends in fun activities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve
met with my Board of Directors and we’ve come up with some ways to relieve
stress on the job at Laurel Mountain Company.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Stretch, play, nap, yawn (lowers BP), run for no
reason, drink lots of water, love unconditionally, and live simply.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did I mention that my Board of Directors is
made up of my dogs, Zeva and DixieLee?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Now that <a href="http://laurelmtbasket.com/" target="_blank">Laurel Mountain Basket Company </a>is a
stress-free company, we are prepared to help you become stress-free, at least
as far as helping you manage your gift giving needs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just give us a call and we’ll do the rest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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Stay Calm,</div>
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<br /></div>
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Marie</div>
Marie and Zevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18252504274442632858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785902418940102230.post-13712545717743395862018-09-13T04:22:00.001-07:002018-09-13T04:22:22.859-07:00Colors of Autumn<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfuGTNykyHDB83RVRiZyNEyZQGoEWqZNZnVZLof-86ABJoCnMoi9Nvuyy5h9sD17D4f-w0QsWfLGyPjQNLbK67nRusFfjbIZ2X98KmtQ1kO-yiaDupgQlr0SZHOPSb_0048Un20smOVOSO/s1600/fall+colors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1042" data-original-width="737" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfuGTNykyHDB83RVRiZyNEyZQGoEWqZNZnVZLof-86ABJoCnMoi9Nvuyy5h9sD17D4f-w0QsWfLGyPjQNLbK67nRusFfjbIZ2X98KmtQ1kO-yiaDupgQlr0SZHOPSb_0048Un20smOVOSO/s200/fall+colors.jpg" width="141" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So it begins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The days are still warm but the nights are cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love New England in autumn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every year Mother Nature surprises us with a
unique pallet of colors and following her lead, we fill our gift baskets with
New England treats and wrap them in New England autumn colors.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">All of our gift baskets are individually designed
specifically to our clients’ needs and budget.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We create gift baskets for any occasion from anniversaries, to
birthdays, weddings, housewarmings, new baby, get well, thank you, condolences,
or just because.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A sample of our design styles can be seen on our
website at <a href="http://laurelmtbasket.com/">laurelmtbasket.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So when you need a unique gift from the heart, we are just a phone call away. It's that easy. Just dial (413-527-1243) and your gift giving problem is solved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In just a few minutes we will help you choose the gift that is just perfect
for you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Remember, “Laurel Mountain Basket Company where gift
giving won’t make you a basket case”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Happy autumn<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Marie<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Marie and Zevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18252504274442632858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785902418940102230.post-31489121149291018562018-02-12T03:15:00.001-08:002018-02-12T03:15:56.503-08:00Fouls and Felons<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKi5VpwiDHE3rgvHiVUcZU0NPTxzu0xTEgeIucJ6zTlzvfI47ElmjgC6APEvSkRPZUTJOv06ynjer0EBPf3xagoXREGWCguNVeYbkjvz0cn0iqiksH-fK4NoVgVC6FO17MqhAtZRJzx-fL/s1600/Mini-Horse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKi5VpwiDHE3rgvHiVUcZU0NPTxzu0xTEgeIucJ6zTlzvfI47ElmjgC6APEvSkRPZUTJOv06ynjer0EBPf3xagoXREGWCguNVeYbkjvz0cn0iqiksH-fK4NoVgVC6FO17MqhAtZRJzx-fL/s200/Mini-Horse.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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What do a baby horse and a home invasion have in common?</div>
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Answer:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are just
two of the reasons we make gift baskets</div>
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As I was going over the accounts to send to the accountant,
I was reminded of the variety of projects we worked on over the years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most were for occasions you’d expect like the
birth of a child, death in the family, birthday, get well and of course
Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve designed gift baskets
for corporate events like annual board of directors’ meetings and regional
sales meetings and with schools providing “final exam survival kits” for their
students.</div>
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<br /></div>
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We’ve designed some very interesting gift baskets too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was the $600 gift basket that included
gift certificates to several restaurants, movie houses and golf courses as well
as some sexy lingerie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was given a
list and a budget and went on a shopping spree.</div>
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We have a line of pet gift baskets and make a lot of baskets
for dogs and cats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have even made
some for small animals like ferrets and bunnies but the most unusual one was
the welcome baby gift basket for a horse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not for the owner but for the horse herself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our inventory was low on “horse” gifts so
this also required a fun shopping trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A straw cowboy hat became the “basket” and we filled it with things like
a curry brush, shampoo and mane tamer and a package of carrot and apple
cookies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know what the horse
thought but the owner loved it.</div>
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Not all baskets are for happy occasions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, sympathy baskets are a big part of
our business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The most emotionally
difficult delivery I’ve made was to an elderly man who had just lost his
youngest son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I arrived at his home
he was sitting alone under an apple tree in his yard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His wife and daughter-in-law were out taking
care of one of the many things that need to be taken care of when planning a
funeral.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I handed him the gift basket and offered my own
condolences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He placed the gift basket
on a table and did something that made my heart break.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He hugged me and began to cry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he was finally able to compose himself I
asked if he would like me to sit with him until his wife got home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said he was fine and I left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cried all the way home.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Oh, the home invasion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>An employee of one of our clients was the victim of a home
invasion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was horrible! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only was their home broken into the
occupants were beaten.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our client wanted
to show support and sympathy for what the employee and his family were going
through.</div>
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<br /></div>
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As you can see, there are lots of reasons why people send
gift baskets and at <a href="http://laurelmtbasket.com/" target="_blank">Laurel Mountain Basket Company </a>we take each one
seriously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We go the extra mile to make
sure your gift says just what you want it to say.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Marie</div>
<br />Marie and Zevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18252504274442632858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785902418940102230.post-1191447656269333472017-01-25T09:19:00.000-08:002017-01-25T09:19:41.258-08:00Love Is In The Air<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsd76e0fFLMlnGi2CTkKB5QFurAIK4fe14YNTzeJaI7Fulk7izImVRR82RXkrPF12oL-oZf_loJN5GjPrWubQJP4bZd6NyP1irOfDLP-1FW7KXoGx8taCxCuED619SzyXoNHzTdNpguzll/s1600/Valentine-day-chocolate-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsd76e0fFLMlnGi2CTkKB5QFurAIK4fe14YNTzeJaI7Fulk7izImVRR82RXkrPF12oL-oZf_loJN5GjPrWubQJP4bZd6NyP1irOfDLP-1FW7KXoGx8taCxCuED619SzyXoNHzTdNpguzll/s200/Valentine-day-chocolate-1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Valentine's
Day is right around the corner bringing with it red hearts, stuffed
teddy bears, and lots and lots of chocolates and roses. And we mean
lots and lots of chocolates and roses.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Americans
will buy about 58 million pounds of chocolates and about 198 million
roses will be delivered. In addition we will send about 180 million
cars.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Heart
shaped boxes of chocolates and bouquets of roses have become symbols
of affection that we share on Valentine's Day. Some others are
romantic dinners and jewelry.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Since
Valentine's Day averages 220,000 marriage proposals per year, I'd say
that engagement rings are among those pieces of jewelry.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">A
Valentine's Day gift doesn't have to be extravagant. It really is
the thought that counts. Not that you thought (remembered) to get
her something but that you put some thought into the gift you did
get. Women like to feel special so choose a gift that is about her
and don't fall back on chocolates and roses (unless you know she
adores either).</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Pay
attention to what is important to her. Some women would prefer a box
of pop corn and a romantic movie at home rather than an expensive
dinner in an expensive restaurant. Here is a list of some of the top
“romantic” movies, just in case.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Casablanca,
Twilight, Love Actually, Love Story, Sleepless In Seattle, When Harry
Met Sally, 50 First Dates, Ghost, and Moonstruck.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Cook
a meal just for the two of you or treat her to breakfast in bed.
Remember that cleaning up is part of the gift.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">A
final WARNING: 64% of men don't plan in advance. Even if you are
planning to send or bring home roses, order early! Valentine's Day
is the busiest day of the year for florists (and gift basket
companies).</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Happy
Valentine's Day,</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Marie</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">P.S.
We specialize in custom designed gift basket for all occasions
including Valentine's Day.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
Marie and Zevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18252504274442632858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785902418940102230.post-48076702316735920512016-10-18T11:29:00.000-07:002016-10-18T11:31:56.095-07:00Eat Drink and Be Scary!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3K0_z8CFihpNVAo6vlS1AHaj2fK_3e0-uMIICOfXJkzR0hO-9pJsKl78lGcGUuiAIZH0vw6lGpuUwZEU7K9dXXtCSZWQvAvvpcTIYArPLHoFVViB6wD2oa-ZvQ0Bybf2O7t_yrW4XZvb/s1600/jackolantern.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3K0_z8CFihpNVAo6vlS1AHaj2fK_3e0-uMIICOfXJkzR0hO-9pJsKl78lGcGUuiAIZH0vw6lGpuUwZEU7K9dXXtCSZWQvAvvpcTIYArPLHoFVViB6wD2oa-ZvQ0Bybf2O7t_yrW4XZvb/s200/jackolantern.gif" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Holiday
– a day fixed by law or custom on which ordinary business is
suspended in commemoration of some event or in honor of some person.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Some
holidays. Like Christmas and Hanukkah are religious/spiritual, while
others like Mothers' Day and Fathers' day are sentimental. Holidays
like Memorial Day and Labor Day honor a specific group of people and
Halloween, well Halloween is just plain FUN.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Okay,
so it does have spiritual roots but for most of us it's simply a day
to cut loose and have fun. Witches and goblins, black cats and
pumpkins have lost their original significance and have become
whimsical decorations.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In
many communities schools or civic organizations sponsor Trick or
Treating events where children can come together in a safe environment
to have fun with rag shag parades, prizes, movies, lots of candy and
other treats.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Even
the family pets are getting in on the fun. Veterinarians and pet day
care centers have parties and hold contests for the best Halloween
costumes – dog and cat categories.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">More
and more adults are getting into the spirit (no pun intended) too.
Costume parties are common with all sorts of themed foods and drinks
like Black Cat Canapes and Candy Corn Jell-O Shots.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">One of my favorite Halloween treats is Black Magic Cake. Most recipes call for instant coffee but I sort of like it better with coffee flavor liqueur. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Houses and
streets are decorated in anticipation of kids out trick or treating. Laconia, NH is hosting a huge pumpkin
festival where they will try to break their record of 10,000 lighted Jack-O-Lanterns and pumpkin carving has become an art form.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We don't have kids and don't live in an area with lots of kids so Halloween isn't so much about trick or treat but is more about the beginning of the Holiday Season... my favorite time of year. Halloween leads to Thanksgiving and I love Thanksgiving because, to me, it's all about family.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Thanksgiving leads to Christmas and Christmas is about Peace, Love and Friendship. What's not to love?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So, I am looking forward to Halloween and all of the wonderful holidays that follow.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Happy Halloween,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Marie</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">P.S. Check out our new website at <a href="http://www.laurelmtbasket.com/" target="_blank">www.laurelmtbasket.com </a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Marie and Zevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18252504274442632858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785902418940102230.post-30243839758005604852016-10-12T11:53:00.001-07:002016-10-12T11:53:46.084-07:00What's So Special About October 15th?<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ezQXVCjynEun0cMrBtqnfWR_pUK7G4CdEmi3qz1efyNwLDss_7FK2na8-aE-tIjB89SaRGWiRGY5szAiYpJL9zjDRI8PldRdCRML-JUXSbW2uHZdpY2pUKsdPfbXYa2lp2emcjDv0vbG/s1600/gift.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ezQXVCjynEun0cMrBtqnfWR_pUK7G4CdEmi3qz1efyNwLDss_7FK2na8-aE-tIjB89SaRGWiRGY5szAiYpJL9zjDRI8PldRdCRML-JUXSbW2uHZdpY2pUKsdPfbXYa2lp2emcjDv0vbG/s200/gift.jpg" width="186" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">At
Laurel Mountain Basket Co we pay close attention to traditional
Holidays. After all, supplying gifts is pretty much the business we
re in.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">I've
always loved holidays and enjoy finding gifts for people. It's
October already and I was just thinking that I am way behind on my
Holiday shopping. Really, I don't usually stress around the Holidays
because when I see something I think would make a great gift for
someone, I pick it up and keep it in my “gift chest”. This year the gift chest is only half full.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Unfortunately,
I'm finding that more and more people don't enjoy holidays. I was
saddened a couple of Christmases ago when a tradesman I do business with
refused to accept a token gift I brought him. He said he didn't like the idea
of HAVING to give a gift and that people have forgotten the Reason
for the Season.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">I
didn't offer the gift because I had to. I offered it because I love
giving gifts to people I value and I like that there are special days
like Christmas and Birthdays set aside for celebrating and giving
gifts. I do see his point though. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Take Valentine's Day for example. I wonder how many husbands really
give their wives luxury cars and expensive jewelry on Valentine's
Day. There was a time when I thought I was the only wife in
history that didn't get a Lexus or BMW or February 14<sup>th</sup>.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Once
upon a time, back in the Stone Age when we sent our newsletters out
via USPS, we had a column dedicated to weird Holidays. I have decided
to resurrect that practice using our Facebook page. For example, did
you know that February 5th is Bubble Gum day or that
May 15<sup>th</sup> is National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day? Now
there's a holiday I can get behind! Think about what fun it would be
if you brought a big place of home baked chocolate chip cookies in to
work on May 15<sup>th</sup> to celebrate! Spreading joy around the
office sounds like a good idea to me!</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">So
if you think life would be a little more fun if you had something to
celebrate every day. “Like” our Facebook page and we will do our
best to keep you in the know.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">In
case you are wondering, October 15<sup>th</sup> is National Grouch
Day.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Happy
holidays,</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Marie</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">P.S.
Check out our new website at <a href="http://www.laurelmtbasket.com/">www.laurelmtbasket.com</a></span></div>
Marie and Zevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18252504274442632858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785902418940102230.post-79202996442219667292016-09-26T10:26:00.002-07:002016-09-26T10:26:09.658-07:00The Cookie Monster<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGB4P8oCiNMGcqcz7VrL3MKSCgh2ytwkv1jZ79GX6Kwf3xfEKkoY_In7OEaxQbf4H3BajjOn980tWqbptpBh7wz85KAcDvqg77v7JXATVBz5GYByupI7dMxZE0BWi4zGbV_ATXzy7RYlTC/s1600/cookie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGB4P8oCiNMGcqcz7VrL3MKSCgh2ytwkv1jZ79GX6Kwf3xfEKkoY_In7OEaxQbf4H3BajjOn980tWqbptpBh7wz85KAcDvqg77v7JXATVBz5GYByupI7dMxZE0BWi4zGbV_ATXzy7RYlTC/s200/cookie.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Did you know that
the average American will eat 35,000 cookies in their lifetime and
that Chip Ahoy! Is ranked number one in store bought cookies?</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I'm not surprised
that a chocolate chip cookie ranked number one since chocolate chip
cookies have been around since 1930 when Ruth Wakefield baked her
first Tool House cookie. Ruth and her husband owned the Toll House
Inn, so named because the structure, built in 1790, served as the
toll house between Boston and New Bedford.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Toll house were
where travelers paid their tolls, rested or changed their horses and
got a home cooked meal. In the tradition of the earlier toll house,
Ruth cooked and baked for her guests. One day, while making Butter
Drop Do cookies, a recipe that dates back to Colonial days, Ruth
decided to cut up a bar of Nestles semi sweet chocolate into little
bits and add it to her cookie dough.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The chocolate did
not melt like she thought it would. It only softened and held its
shape. The cookie was a huge success and her recipe was published in
the Boston paper.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Ruth was approached
by Nestles and they eventually came to an agreement. The company
could print the recipe on the wrapper for their bars and Ruth would
be supplied with chocolate for the rest of her life!</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Samoas, Trefoils,
Do-si-dos and Thin mints If you recognize these cookies, you've
provably bought a package or two from a Girl Scout. The first Girl
Scout cookies were baked at home with moms volunteering as technical
advisers. It was a way for the Mistletoe Troop of Muskogee, OK to
finance troop activities. Being true entrepreneurs, the troop sold
their home baked cookies in the school cafeteria. That 1917 troop
project went national and today the Girl Scouts sell about 200
million boxes of cookies a year. Amazing what a couple of million
girls can accomplish.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Oreos (ranked #8)
used to be my favorite cookie until I tasted Brent and Sam's Triple
Chocolate Bliss. Okay, so it's not “technically” a store bought
cookies but you can buy them on Amazon and we used them and other
Brent and Sam varieties in many of our <a href="http://www.laurelmtbasket.com/" target="_blank">gift baskets</a>.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
What is your
favorite store bought cookie and which Girl Scout cookie do you buy
and keep for yourself?</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Marie</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
P.S. You can see lots of our gift basket designs by visiting the <a href="http://www.laurelmtbasket.com/" target="_blank">Laurel Mountain Basket Co</a> website.</div>
Marie and Zevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18252504274442632858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785902418940102230.post-70494961796697029552016-07-27T07:52:00.000-07:002016-07-27T07:52:03.601-07:00When Words Are Not Enough<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQmdLPJPK1LqQIKESjr4ahsm-DGvu6g0YwqHOXAMLUUNmQwHeUM_wvg6QgaoVfSTdPbOBD1ZSh0RmnpTfeetyXgr5NERApBY1YPlUovmeEt8DBhBtuTcVMVj1ptCoEDUFS8nxkevQ-qnw/s1600/basket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQmdLPJPK1LqQIKESjr4ahsm-DGvu6g0YwqHOXAMLUUNmQwHeUM_wvg6QgaoVfSTdPbOBD1ZSh0RmnpTfeetyXgr5NERApBY1YPlUovmeEt8DBhBtuTcVMVj1ptCoEDUFS8nxkevQ-qnw/s200/basket.jpg" width="141" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="line-height: 100%;">What do you say to a
parent who has lost a child. Even if that child is an adult it is a
devastating loss. How can words comfort a brother or sister who lost
a best friend or a wife who was looking forward to enjoying a quieter
life with her spouse without the strain of jobs and children? And the
children. What on earth do you say to the children who have lost a
parent?</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Our neighbor passed
away earlier this week. We haven't lived in the area long but had
gotten to know Ron and Cindy a little. Ron had been fighting his
battle with Cancer since we fist met him but he always had a good
word and smile no matter how poorly he was feeling on any given day.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
As I sat down to
write Cindy a note I realized, yet again, that I didn't know what to
say.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
At Laurel Mountain
Basket Company making and delivering sympathy gift baskets is a big
part of our business. Often the sender will ask us for suggestions
as to what to write on the care. “Thinking of you during this
difficult time”, Keeping you and your family in our thoughts and
prayers” or “With deepest sympathies” have always seemed
appropriate but this time, they didn't work.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I think it was
because I was too close to the situation and was forgetting what
condolence wishes are all about.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
1. They are not
about you, not about how you feel. They are not even about the
person who has passed. Messages of sympathy are about the ones who
are left behind.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
2. Messages of
sympathy are not about “fixing it”. There is nothing you can do
or say that is going to take the pay and grief away. Time will change
things but it is NOT your place to point that out.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
3. Actions speak
louder than words so if you are in a position to help, here are a few
things you can do.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
4. Remember that
everyone grieves differently. Let them know you are there if they
want to talk or if they would like your help but don't push or hover.
Respect their need to grieve in their own way.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
5. Offer to run
errands or do chores like picking up people at the airport, baby
sitting, cutting the grass, or picking up some groceries.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
6. If you are not
in a position to personally help out, send prepared meals or a gift
basked filled with fruit or other easy to eat foods.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
7. Don't question
them about the details of the death.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Sympathy may be one
of the most difficult emotions to convey and there is not easy way to
approach someone who has just suffered a significant loss. Offer
what you can whether it is an ear to listen with or a shoulder to
lean on. It will be the right thing.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Marie</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
P.S. For more
information or to view some of our recent designs, check out
laurelmtbasket.com or call us at 413-527-1243</div>
Marie and Zevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18252504274442632858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785902418940102230.post-86699468333350566172016-07-27T07:45:00.000-07:002016-07-27T07:45:10.889-07:00What If....<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjyLeW86hOMRnp5HfpeQiZFqGGOEdTYgnMpmiAQw5xEieLYsN2_Ij0uHj_s_Hbgfoa1bG7-cNmnSSdixymp4WdvjwINOQKn8P-yRFKVjDeFBupVID2TcZ1zSkiTsyIcBUXbaLtW15DOXpd/s1600/hat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjyLeW86hOMRnp5HfpeQiZFqGGOEdTYgnMpmiAQw5xEieLYsN2_Ij0uHj_s_Hbgfoa1bG7-cNmnSSdixymp4WdvjwINOQKn8P-yRFKVjDeFBupVID2TcZ1zSkiTsyIcBUXbaLtW15DOXpd/s200/hat.jpg" width="140" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
When I was six years
old I wanted to be a cowgirl, just like Dale Evans or a pioneer like
Daniel Boone.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The other day we
were watching one of the Jason Bourne movies and I thought being a
spy might be very cool profession.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I go to the gym 4 or
5 times a week so I'm sure I could jump from roof top to roof top and
swing from bell ropes and utility wires easy enough. I've had my
driver's license since I was 16 and only have had one fender bender
(the time I backed into my husband's tuck while it was parked in the
yard) so I'm sure I could drive 100 mph through foreign streets
during the running of the bulls and not pile up.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I haven't field a
gun in years but I'm sure I could handle any of the new fancy
firearms available today (as long as someone disengaged the safety
for me).</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Other than sneaking
into dark places to photograph secret documents (I get jumpy walking
to my car in a parking lot at night), the only problem I see that
would prevent me from being a first class spy would be remembering
which name I was using on any given day.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In a lot of spy
movies the spy has a bunch of passports all in different names. I
have been Mrs. Lisewski for almost 40 years and the receptionist in
the dentist office still has to call my name three times before I
realize she is talking to me.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Come to think of it,
I probably don't have the skills or temperament to be a very good
spy. Gift basket designer is a much more suitable career choice for
me. In fact, I love what I do and I am very good at it so gift
basket designer is definitely the perfect career choice for me.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
How about you? What
would be your fantasy career?</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Marie</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
P.S. Check out some of my custom designs at<a href="http://www.laurelmtbasket.com/" target="_blank"> laurelmtbasket.com</a> and see if you don't agree that gift basket designer is the right choice for me. </div>
Marie and Zevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18252504274442632858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785902418940102230.post-66993044423935110482016-07-27T07:25:00.001-07:002016-07-27T07:25:56.906-07:00Opportunities In Disguise<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLXm2KE1-I19y5hWsxT_so0tSstIPLJWAQ0GnsMlS8sd4AHPrQXVoo1s8wx8XwB_T4S3SCCBJIyTr2u0UMm9VmR_YUhZjYhX5kaOkarTtKqVfj07wACSBk2rpWNVVV4_iK8gZc1t-TkIca/s1600/cookie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLXm2KE1-I19y5hWsxT_so0tSstIPLJWAQ0GnsMlS8sd4AHPrQXVoo1s8wx8XwB_T4S3SCCBJIyTr2u0UMm9VmR_YUhZjYhX5kaOkarTtKqVfj07wACSBk2rpWNVVV4_iK8gZc1t-TkIca/s200/cookie.jpg" width="158" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="line-height: 100%;">While unpacking a
distributors order, I noticed that a carton of cookies was crushed on
one end and several of the individual boxes were damaged. That
wasn't a big deal because I knew my distributor would credit me for
the damaged goods (which they did). The problem was that I had a
dozen boxes of cookies that I couldn't use in my gift baskets.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I like almost any
cookie. I've been known to buy a package of Oreos out of a vending
machine on occasion but Brent & Sam's chocolate chip cookies are
in a league of their own. They are to die for. So you can see my
dilemma. A dozen boxes of my favorite cookies that I can't use, what
to do?</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
As difficult as it
was, I chose not to eat all of those delicious cookies myself but I
did need to get them out of my sight as quickly as possible. I gave
a couple of boxes to my mother, another couple to my husband, who
loves to taste test our products, and the rest I dropped off to
clients around town. Okay, I did save two for myself but they were
small boxes.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The wonderful thing
about Brent & Sam's chocolate chip cookies is that they are all
about the chocolate chips. My husband couldn't believe the number
and size of the chocolate chips in each cookie. The cookies are made
from scratch with no added preservatives. Everyone who received a
box commented on how delicious they are.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
My mom and husband
both wanted more….. I created two cookie monsters! I bet my
clients were tempted but since they aren't related, they probably
felt it would be inappropriate to take advantage of our relationship.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
My point, I do have
a point, is that not all cookies, coffees, or chocolates are created
equal and at Laurel Mountain Basket Company we choose our products
very carefully. Not that we don't use Oreos and Pringles. They are
practically a staple in our College Survival Kits, but our gourmet
gift baskets are filled with wonderfully delicious, quality treats.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
When we create a
gift basket for you, you can be assured that it will</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
It doesn't happen
often but occasionally we are forced to make sacrifices for our
craft, like having to eat a couple of boxes of the best chocolate
chip cookies anywhere. (They really were small boxes.)</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Marie</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
P.S. See lots more Laurel Mountain Basket Company designs at <a href="httpp://laurelmtbasket.com" target="_blank">laurelmtbbasket.com </a></div>
Marie and Zevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18252504274442632858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785902418940102230.post-67431920393653575542016-06-07T09:48:00.002-07:002016-06-07T09:50:21.005-07:00What Dad Really Wants<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHDLZvrOmmu_W2U21qdhgtdSxqDl2Qp4iURwArCONulLCOxrHpgmkdLilU4t4KHSuutmkNvUV24ocJ0oFdXUO_ONTIgbEbLMyO0zSC8Odo33QAE5mU79TlPPeCzNjRfFe7rEQvjOh4kxU_/s1600/DAD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHDLZvrOmmu_W2U21qdhgtdSxqDl2Qp4iURwArCONulLCOxrHpgmkdLilU4t4KHSuutmkNvUV24ocJ0oFdXUO_ONTIgbEbLMyO0zSC8Odo33QAE5mU79TlPPeCzNjRfFe7rEQvjOh4kxU_/s200/DAD.jpg" width="123" /></a></div>
<span style="line-height: 100%;">After many years of
being a daughter and many years of being a wife, I finally figured
out the perfect Father's Day gift,</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Looking back, I feel
bad for my Dad. He's been gone now for 40 years but the poor man got
a tie and a bottle of Old Spice Aftershave just about every year for
Father's Day. He was a mechanic most of his life and wore a green
shirt and green pants to work six days a week. But every year my Dad
got a tie and aftershave from his girls and a new shirt from my Mom.
I guess it was Mom's way of making sure he looked presentable for
Sunday morning Mass.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Although Father's
Day was started by Sonora Smart Dodd to honor her father, Civil War
Veteran and widower William Jackson Smart, who raised six children as
a dingle parent, Father's Day has grown to include all men who love
and support their families.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
When it came to
buying a Father's Day gift for my husband, I thought I'd be smart and
just ask him what he would like. That didn't quite work out the way
I thought it would. There was no way our budget would cover a new
truck or a two week deep sea fishing trip to some place warm. Yup,
he got shirts and ties until the year I discovered what all men like.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Food. Add a good
adventure flick to to mix and you have the perfect guy gift.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Going to brunch is
Vic's favorite Father's Day gifts and this year we might add one of
these other great guy gifts to the mix.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
1. Book a tee time
at the local golf course. You could make it a family affair or not.
For those with young children, miniature golf is lots of fun too.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
2. Take him out to
a ball game. Can't swing Red Sox tickets? There are some really
good minor league teams like the Blue Sox in Holyoke, Mass or the
Fisher Cats in Manchester, NH. You can take the whole family to one
of their games and not bust the budget.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
3. Go bowling or
fishing. Both are fun activities that children can enjoy. Pizza
goes great with bowling and a picnic goes perfectly with fishing.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
4. Take a bike ride
or a hike. Hiking with the dogs is one of our favorite family
activities and living in Northern NH means we'll never run out of
fantastic trails.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
5. Go to the
Movies. Taking in a matinee and stopping for ice cream on the way
home brings us back to the gifts that men love…. Food and a movie.
You can't go wrong.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
However you choose
to celebrate Father's Day this year, we wish you the best.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Marie</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
P.S. If you can't
be with your Dad this Father's Day, a gift basket from Laurel
Mountain Basket Co is the next best thing. <a href="http://laurelmtbasket.com/">laurelmtbasket.com</a></div>
Marie and Zevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18252504274442632858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785902418940102230.post-82894237974778955262016-05-23T11:46:00.002-07:002016-05-23T11:47:42.571-07:00Special Orders Don't Upset Us<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh04PuqKbRH7p7HEDFfjHk5VwfrpAYSeU_spxvUqMBHnzqLEsWn9TYNxuPmqAL9k2sXyreq00gu1ABdZ-iGQ0W8H9K83XtgABHcnbH77Ui2apJj3QKtHW2a_GjxU0O43KEo6QFxzDKI8TM5/s1600/gluten+free.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh04PuqKbRH7p7HEDFfjHk5VwfrpAYSeU_spxvUqMBHnzqLEsWn9TYNxuPmqAL9k2sXyreq00gu1ABdZ-iGQ0W8H9K83XtgABHcnbH77Ui2apJj3QKtHW2a_GjxU0O43KEo6QFxzDKI8TM5/s1600/gluten+free.jpg" /></a></div>
Remember the lyrics to the Burger King jingle? Hold the pickles, hold the lettuce, etc. Well, at <a href="http://www.laurelmtbasket.com/custom-designed.html" target="_blank">Laurel Mountain Basket Co</a>. we also
know that tastes differ.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our website is filled with gift baskets designed for a wide
range of tastes and budgets but we know that even this wide assortment doesn’t
include something for everyone. That’s
why we’re more than happy to work with our clients to design gifts that are
specific to their need.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Most gift basket you see on our site and others are filled
with chocolates, cookies and other “feel good” treats. After all, a gift basket is supposed to lift the spirits and satisfying the sweet tooth usually does just that. But there are some folks who just can’t enjoy
a couple of cookies or crackers and dip without becoming ill. I’ve discovered that more and more people are
becoming gluten intolerant or have other dietary issues.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thirty years ago I knew one person who had a gluten problem
and twenty years ago I knew two. Today
several of my friends or their children are gluten intolerant.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I do have my own briefs about why so many are getting ill
from common foods but I’m not a scientist so my opinion doesn’t matter. What does matter is that I do understand that
gluten intolerance and other types of allergies do have a real impact on
lives. That doesn’t mean that a person
who suffers from gluten intolerance can’t experience the joy of receiving a
beautifully designed gift basket filled with yummy foods they can actually eat
and enjoy.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We can design a gluten free gift basket for any occasion and
have worked with clients to design baskets for birthdays and other
celebrations, various holidays and to express get well or sympathy wishes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So the next time you want to send a gift to a friend or
family member who is gluten intolerant, you can send them a beautifully
designed gift basket. You just need to
order it from a company that has years of experience designing gift baskets
using products that are suitable for those with gluten allergies. A company like<a href="http://www.laurelmtbasket.com/welcome.html" target="_blank"> Laurel Mountain Basket Co</a> where special orders don’t upset us.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Marie</div>
Marie and Zevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18252504274442632858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785902418940102230.post-69099504925011876322016-05-13T10:03:00.002-07:002016-05-13T10:03:44.324-07:00Can't Get That Here<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-GOfTtYsxzgik6Fff12VoOGwrXKFoKDEUpcm_MbHPEYEGUWkW3BxbUCjIOO0X2TpCLC4cBKdPVfXvSferDb0JkAV6es0wfYI43eOTXQX3pkDc3gN-sFzF5mP2g_0CnGNRd1Uqs2Hrsy_U/s1600/champagne-caviar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-GOfTtYsxzgik6Fff12VoOGwrXKFoKDEUpcm_MbHPEYEGUWkW3BxbUCjIOO0X2TpCLC4cBKdPVfXvSferDb0JkAV6es0wfYI43eOTXQX3pkDc3gN-sFzF5mP2g_0CnGNRd1Uqs2Hrsy_U/s200/champagne-caviar.jpg" width="140" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 100%;">Dom
Perigon, Russian Tea Cakes, Pistachio & Almond Croccante and
Truffle Oil are just a few of the items you won't find in our gift
baskets.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">I
don't think many of the folks I know would be watching the Sunday
game munching on Russian Tea Cakes and drinking Dom. Most folks I
know, and I bet those you know too, are more of the chip and dip
types. Not that they wouldn't enjoy a nice hot and spicy mustard
with their pepper jack cheese and a three pepper cracker with their
summer sausage, but you get the idea.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Years
ago my husband managed a large warehouse operation. During the
Holiday Season he would receive gift baskets from vendors and
clients.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">The
first thing we would do when we opened one of those gift baskets was
divide the contents into two piles. One pile was for “Who eats
this stuff?” and the other was for “This looks pretty good”.
I'm not a big fan of glazed roasted figs or Kalamata olive spread but
give me any kind of cookie or chocolate and I'm your friend for life.
Another thing about the contents in those gift baskets, by the end of
the season , we would have a third pile consisting of all of the
Starbrite peppermints.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">I
realize that sending gifts at the Holidays was a smart way to do
business and that a busy executive didn't have time to personally
select a gift for everyone on their list. It made sense that they
would contact a local company or go on line, choose something in
their price range and be done with it. I think the saddest thing was
that I knew the gift baskets we received weren't cheap as far as cost
but they looked pretty ordinary as far as presentation. Those gift
baskets were what got me started in the business. I knew I could do
better. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">At
Laurel Mountain Basket Company we create every gift as if we were
personally sending it to our best client or our best friend. We fill
our baskets with gourmet treats we know they would like. Sure, we
like to surprise your taste buds with treats like yogurt covered
cranberries but mostly your find high quality “simpler” items
like Brent & Sam chocolate chip cookies or Ghirardelli
chocolates. We also know that our clients work hard for their money
so we work just as hard to give them the most value for their dollar.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Shopping
local is a big deal for us and we are always on the look-out for new
vendors, We have a great time attending Farmers' Markets and Craft
shows making new friends and taste testing new product.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">If
you're looking for a gift basket with champagne and caviar, we can
recommend a couple of places but if you are in the market for some
down to earth, really good gifts for your friends and family, we can
help.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Check
out our website <a href="http://laurelmtbasket.com/">laurelmtbasket.com</a> for samples of our work and give
us a call at 413-527-1243 and we'll be happy to put together a gift
basket just for you. Remember, consultations are always free and we
can work with any budget.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Bon appetite,</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Marie</span></div>
Marie and Zevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18252504274442632858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785902418940102230.post-58210772409523624932016-05-10T10:21:00.000-07:002016-05-10T10:42:32.074-07:00How Many Empty Coat Hangers Does One Person Need?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMQAAvbDr2ui4BdeD_OEOv_fa5LRxW4fne2EAwQQLvq97Fi7tgnp2oMpK3a3BxYfZtCIsKjEcJ2YaoWzs7j5hcGd0IVvjJm8_6Jh3UR1eq-G-tdaAGsHmjolc7mS0uuHLOhbi09Ujevt2J/s1600/housewife+cleaning.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMQAAvbDr2ui4BdeD_OEOv_fa5LRxW4fne2EAwQQLvq97Fi7tgnp2oMpK3a3BxYfZtCIsKjEcJ2YaoWzs7j5hcGd0IVvjJm8_6Jh3UR1eq-G-tdaAGsHmjolc7mS0uuHLOhbi09Ujevt2J/s200/housewife+cleaning.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Where does it all come from?
A person sure can accumulate a lot of “stuff” in 30 years. When we moved, over two years ago, I got rid
of tons of “stuff”, so how come there is still a huge pile of boxes in the
corner of my basement that are still unpacked?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve read lots of articles about how to get rid of
clutter. Most of them tell how to
prioritize things and get rid of those items we no long use. Here are the steps they suggest:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1. Objectively look at an item</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2. Decide one of three things about the item;</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
a. Do you love it</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
b. Do you use it</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
c. Will you use it
in the future.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3. If the item doesn’t
fit one of those three categories, get rid of it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When we were moving and I had a house, a studio and a
warehouse to clear out, the idea of packing was overwhelming. The task became much easier when I broke it
down into manageable pieces. After all
there is only one way to eat an elephant… one bite at a time. By starting with a small area, like a kitchen
drawer, closet or small room, I was able to de-clutter and pack everything
without being overwhelmed. It took days to
clear out the drawers in my office desk alone but it got done.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Don’t second guess yourself.
I made three piles. They were, the
“definitely keep it” pile, the “definitely get rid of it” pile and the “not so
sure” pile. The key to successfully
using the “not so sure” pile is to go back the next day and make a decision as
to which of the other two piles an item belongs and deal with it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I also had three “getting rid of” piles. One was for items I was going to donate to Goodwill
or other charitable organization, another was for items I was going to tag
sale, and the third was for items that were headed for the landfill. I made regular trips to Goodwill and the
landfill which helped keep reduce the clutter level in the house.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Be ruthless with the “get rid of it” piles. Yes, there will always be something that you
got rid of that you find yourself looking for a year later. Soon after we moved I bought a can of tomato
juice and after I got home, realized I didn’t have a can opener. We did manger to find one in my husband’s
tackle box but I did panic for a couple of minutes.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Those boxes in the basement.
I started going through them recently and since the three pile system
worked fairly well before, I’m using it again. Not many items are falling into the landfill
pile but the tag sale pile is growing. This
house is much smaller than our old house so there isn’t enough room to display
all of the items I love. The “definitely keep” pile has things like photo
albums, books and things like the pretty tea pot that belonged to my
grandmother. I will definitely keep them
even if their new home is in a box in the basement. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Marie<br />
<br />
P.S. We've moved. Check out our new website at <a href="http://laurelmtbasket.com/">laurelmtbasket.com</a></div>
Marie and Zevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18252504274442632858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785902418940102230.post-85498978969922495792016-05-06T06:23:00.001-07:002016-05-10T10:39:42.936-07:00Fouls To Felons<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTN3FNEuvs1xzinlez_x5zDf299FzG73Gr_hSZQFhcc293XTvFY3t2V3tWbI5UA2Mo8L2HeZTa2N7gDDmIRWoGRNlcdq403DOrdP2BR2v-UaS-SkE3a-n9enH0R95V9R-JEohfS4KnzEt-/s1600/baby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTN3FNEuvs1xzinlez_x5zDf299FzG73Gr_hSZQFhcc293XTvFY3t2V3tWbI5UA2Mo8L2HeZTa2N7gDDmIRWoGRNlcdq403DOrdP2BR2v-UaS-SkE3a-n9enH0R95V9R-JEohfS4KnzEt-/s200/baby.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
What do a baby horse and a home invasion have in common?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Answer: They are just
two of the reasons we make gift baskets</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I was going over the accounts to send to the accountant,
I was reminded of the variety of projects we worked on over the years. Most were for occasions you’d expect like the
birth of a child, death in the family, birthday, get well and of course
Christmas. We’ve designed gift baskets
for corporate events like annual board of directors’ meetings and regional
sales meetings and with schools providing “final exam survival kits” for their
students.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We’ve designed some very interesting gift baskets too. There was the $600 gift basket that included
gift certificates to several restaurants, movie houses and golf courses as well
as some sexy lingerie. I was given a
list and a budget and went on a shopping spree.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We have a line of pet gift baskets and make a lot of baskets
for dogs and cats. We have even made
some for small animals like ferrets and bunnies but the most unusual one was
the welcome baby gift basket for a horse.
Not for the owner but for the horse herself. Our inventory was low on “horse” gifts so
this also required a fun shopping trip.
A straw cowboy hat became the “basket” and we filled it with things like
a curry brush, shampoo and mane tamer and a package of carrot and apple
cookies. I don’t know what the horse
thought but the owner loved it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not all baskets are for happy occasions. In fact, sympathy baskets are a big part of
our business. The most emotionally
difficult delivery I’ve made was to an elderly man who had just lost his
youngest son. When I arrived at his home
he was sitting alone under an apple tree in his yard. His wife and daughter-in-law were out taking
care of one of the many things that need to be taken care of when planning a
funeral.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I handed him the gift basket and offered my own
condolences. He placed the gift basket
on a table and did something that made my heart break. He hugged me and began to cry. When he was finally able to compose himself I
asked if he would like me to sit with him until his wife got home. He said he was fine and I left. I cried all the way home</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh, the home invasion.
An employee of one of our clients was the victim of a home
invasion. It was horrible! Not only was their home broken into the
occupants were beaten. Our client wanted
to show support and sympathy for what the employee and his family were going
through.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As you can see, there are lots of reasons why people send
gift baskets and at Laurel Mountain Basket Company we take each one
seriously. We go the extra mile to make
sure your gift says just what you want it to say.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Marie</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
P.S. To see samples
of our work, go to our website at www.laurelmtbasket.com</div>
Marie and Zevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18252504274442632858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785902418940102230.post-88682063719628153182016-05-06T06:20:00.001-07:002016-05-10T10:40:06.630-07:00Sometimes Even The Professional Needs Professional Help<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3625Yvkckv8cllybM4PGwLT3-wxuNReUpZPKbaFPRKw5pT_Q5SaluDJ-ofBuZ1mrAbqOTf8myeUQc30u7h02IMX3IpSiRFX8zOMhr9HmdZTfcKIg3Ys2OboMAEzOwxnkrDAKSgP0AIm_A/s1600/woman-needing-tax-help.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3625Yvkckv8cllybM4PGwLT3-wxuNReUpZPKbaFPRKw5pT_Q5SaluDJ-ofBuZ1mrAbqOTf8myeUQc30u7h02IMX3IpSiRFX8zOMhr9HmdZTfcKIg3Ys2OboMAEzOwxnkrDAKSgP0AIm_A/s200/woman-needing-tax-help.png" width="133" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m the gift giving “expert”. Clients come to me when they need a gift and
have no idea of what they want. At
Laurel Mountain Basket Company we believe we have the knowledge and experience
to help our clients choose gifts appropriate for every occasion. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Imagine how weird it felt when I needed a gift and didn’t
have a clue what to give.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Vic and I are invited to the wedding of a woman I know but
not all that well. She is a widow and it
is a second wedding for her fiancé also.
They are both in their 60’s and have everything they need for their home. Unlike some brides, she didn’t “register”
anywhere so that wasn’t an option. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Time to call in the professionals. One of the great things about the gift basket
business is that it is filled with some very smart people who are willing to
share their knowledge and experience. We
belong to a couple of industry groups and over the past 17 years, I have
developed wonderful relationships with some amazing people.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With a click of the mouse, I was able to get some great advice. After consulting with the professionals, I
realized I had the answer the whole time.
All I needed to do was follow the Laurel Mountain Basket Co formula.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1. Who is giving the
gift? Seems obvious but we all fill many roles.
Will gift be sent from our company or from us personally? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2. Who is receiving
the gift? What is our relationship? Close friend, family member, co-worker,
business associate? The type of gift
should reflect the relationship.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3. What’s the
occasion? In this case, it’s a wedding
but what kind of wedding? Is it a black
tie formal or a back yard bar-b-que?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4. What’s the
budget? This is always an important
consideration.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It didn’t’ take long to realize that I did know something
about the couple that made choosing a gift easy. They love to cook and they love Italian food
so I designed a pasta gift basket especially for them and since I know she
likes wine, I added a nice bottle of red.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When you need a gift and don’t know what to do, just ask a
professional like the ones at Laurel Mountain Basket Co where gift giving won’t
make you a basket case.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Marie</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
P.S. To see samples
of our work, go to our website at www.laurelmtbasket.com</div>
Marie and Zevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18252504274442632858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785902418940102230.post-67451340797899950972016-05-06T06:07:00.002-07:002016-05-10T10:40:50.337-07:00Your Next Challenge<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfRYTwa7D8iFF0nEVHvidxXCdwq59DRSncaecwHP-pkmlJ_vQ8vnwfZqRw8OLlX16v0xULRi-wfS-svoFHuvCIREtFfvhZQf2xkzrpRH6a_EoJi1l7rjdNHmamNVeBtjPWkLCDMZ9vDnzp/s1600/bucket+list_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfRYTwa7D8iFF0nEVHvidxXCdwq59DRSncaecwHP-pkmlJ_vQ8vnwfZqRw8OLlX16v0xULRi-wfS-svoFHuvCIREtFfvhZQf2xkzrpRH6a_EoJi1l7rjdNHmamNVeBtjPWkLCDMZ9vDnzp/s200/bucket+list_1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">What
do all these things have in common?</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Run
a marathon</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Visit
a foreign city</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Dance
in the rain</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Learn
another language</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Learn
to play an instrument</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Swim
with the dolphins.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Answer:
They are all items you will find on many Bucket Lists. Don't have a
Bucket List? There are several sites you can visit if you want to
start one but don't know where to start. One list I visited had
10,000 ideas. The list was comprised of items from actual Bucket
Lists submitted to them.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">A
Bucket List is nothing more than a goals list and like a goals list;
it won't happen without some effort on your part.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">I
don't have a Bucket List but if I did, here are a few things that
would have been on it that I could check off.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Go
to college. This was a very big deal because my father didn't
believe in college for women. No one in his family had gone to
college. His sisters were both successful, one taught at a
cosmetology school and the other was an executive secretary at a huge
corporation. So why bother going to college. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">I
did manage to win him over and I got to go to college. It was a
wonderful and rewarding experience. I did so well that when my
sisters also wanted to go to college, he was 100% on board.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Design
and build my own house. Okay, so I didn't do the little line drawing
or nail pounding but I did paint the entire interior myself. It took
over two years from meeting the Architect to moving in. It was an
interesting and educational experience. I'm glad I did it once but
once was definitely enough.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Own
my own business. My grandparents owned a restaurant forever and my
dad had his own auto body repair shop for several years. Even though
I saw how had they had to work, I still wanted to own my own
business. Laurel Mountain Basket Co has been in existence now for
almost 20 years! I love what I do but I have to say my current boss
is the toughest boss I have ever worked with.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Vic
and I wanted to move to New Hampshire when we retired. We both love
the mountains and the slower pace of northern New Hampshire. It was
difficult leaving all of our friends and family and moving not only
our home but Laurel Mountain Basket Co to a new location. It's been
almost three years now and we absolutely love living here.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Elbert
Hubbard (American writer, publisher, artist and philosopher) said, “A
goal without a deadline is just a dream”. A Bucket List without
effort is just a list on a piece of paper.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Want
to run a marathon? Start training. I have a friend who wanted to
run in a half marathon in support of the Cancer Society. She had
lost her father to the disease and running in her father's memory was
her way of honoring her father's life. She not only ran the half,
she now participates in full marathons, triathlons and multi-day
hundred mile bike rides, all in her father's memory and to raise
money and awareness for the disease.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Want
to visit a foreign city? Do the research, set a date and set aside a
few dollars every week.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Some
goals are much easier to reach than others, like dancing in the rain.
The next time it rains, just do it!</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Looks
like it's time for me to take up my next challenge. I think this is
going to be the most difficult one so far. I want to break 100 in
golf. If you've ever played golf with me, you know that is going to
be some challenge.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Love
to hear what you've checked off you Bucket List and what your next
challenge is.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">List
it and then go for it!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Marie</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">P.S Check out our new website at www.laurelmtbasket.com</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Marie and Zevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18252504274442632858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785902418940102230.post-48786696253708201492013-05-13T06:26:00.002-07:002013-05-13T06:40:50.948-07:00Open House - Western MassachusettsNot for everyone! This light filled contemporary may only have two bedrooms, but it has beautiful views from every room in the house. Set on almost four acres, you will enjoy country living at its best and be just minutes from Amherst and Northampton and Route 91. Situated in the quaint town of Whately in Western Massachusetts it is convenient to the Five Colleges!<br />
<br />
Join us for an OPEN HOUSE on SUNDAY, May 19 from 1 until 3. For more information see MLS # 71481344<br />
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Marie and Zevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18252504274442632858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785902418940102230.post-60403175042366548092012-09-29T04:36:00.000-07:002012-09-29T04:40:50.677-07:00Gone Fishin'!<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Yesterday was Friday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For some reason, it seemed like that week
consisted of 14 days, not 7.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a
chilly, dreary, rainy day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got up at
my usual 5:00 a.m. and headed for the gym.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I love going to the gym, especially on Fridays for my QiGong class.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">After the gym I stopped to see my Mom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had surgery a couple months ago and is
still pretty much housebound so I like to stop and see her often to check up on
how she is doing and just to chat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">By the time I got back home after doing errands, it
was almost noon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I headed for my studio
and picked up my “to do list”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The usual
suspects, send out weekly invoices, pay some bills, answer emails, write a
blog, start the newsletter, etc. etc. and, oh yeah, design gift basket to fill the waiting orders. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It was when I looked at the orders and saw that all
of them were scheduled for delivery next week, I decided what to do next.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing….<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That’s right, nothing….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I shut my studio door and put the "<a href="http://laurelmtbasket.com/index.php/store/item/gone-fishin" target="_blank">Gone Fishin'</a>" sign on the knob, (mentally because there is no
door to my studio and I don't have a "<a href="http://laurelmtbasket.com/index.php/store/item/gone-fishin" target="_blank">Gone Fishin</a>" sign), poured a glass of wine and turned the TV to On Demand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t ask me what I watched because I couldn’t
tell you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I spend the whole day, doing
nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, I did finish crocheting
that baby blanket for a friend who is due in a couple of months, but that doesn’t
count.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Sometimes doing nothing is exactly what you need to
do to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mentally, I was a chilly, dreary,
rainy day and even though I could have made the gift baskets I needed to fill the orders, written my blog
and newsletter and have done all of the other things I do in my job, doing nothing
was the better choice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">According to the weather forecast, it is going to be
chilly, dreary and rainy for the next several days, but I am back to feeling like
my warm, sunny self and am recharged and ready to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Heading for the gym this morning, stopping to
see my Mom and running errands again but I’ll be back at my desk later this
morning rockin’ and rollin’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The view from Laurel Mountain today is …
re-energized.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Marie</span><br />
<br />
P.S. The photo is of our <a href="http://laurelmtbasket.com/index.php/store/item/gone-fishin" target="_blank">Gone Fishin" gift basket.</a></div>
Marie and Zevahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18252504274442632858noreply@blogger.com0