The View From Laurel Mountain

Brotherly Love

2010-08-12T17:19:00.000-07:00

There are good dogs and then there are great dogs. Dana falls into the "great dog" category. She was such a serious puppy. From the day we brought her home, 12 years ago, she took on the task of watching over our family, especially her brother/litter mate, Fox.

Fox was the clown and the one always getting into trouble. On walks in the woods or in the long hallways of the renovated factory building where I have my studio, Fox was always too far ahead, sticking his nose into everything, while Dana would keep pace with us slower humans, making sure we didn't get lost.

Not that she didn't have a fun-loving and mischievous side. It's hard to believe that the 60 and 70 pound dogs were once so small that they could play tag under and around the coffee table and play tag under the couch. I'm sure she played a major part in the chewing up the floor, the walls and baseboards in the mud room. I nailed plywood sheets over the chew holes in the walls, mainly to cover electrical outlets that may have been next on their list of things to destroy. After a little painting, it wasn't too bad a job. The effect was sort of shabby chic wainscoting.

We finally got around to replacing the floor, drywall and baseboards this past winter. It was just one of those things that we never seemed to get around to. After all, what's more important, spending time and money on replacing a linoleum floor or taking walks with and buying toys and treats for dogs?

She was always the first to spot trouble. Usually in the form of a squirrel or chipmunk. She was persist ant and usually managed to wear us down when it came to getting treats. She perfected the forlorn look and more often than not, I'd find her positioned right in the path past the cookie jar to my easy chair.

From her favorite resting spot in the living room, she could watch over all of us whether we were in the living room, family room or kitchen. We decided to get two dogs because my husband and I work full time and, although we spent all of our free time with the dogs, they were home alone for nine or ten hours at a time. Even as they grew and stopped playing "puppy games" they seemed to enjoy being together on car rides and long walks. The only time they were separated was the overnight Fox spent at the vet's, recovering from cancer surgery two or three years ago.

In late June Fox became ill. A trip to the vet and lots of test didn't determine the cause. We took care of him as best we could but it was soon obvious that we would have to let him go. As anyone who has been in this position knows, it isn't easy but as you also know, it is the right thing to do.

Once the decision was made, I took the first appointment I could get, even if it meant, my husband wouldn't be able to be there with us. I wasn't sure what to do with Dana. Should I take her with us, or leave her home. She made the decision for me. As I struggled to get the 70 pound Fox into the back of my SUV, Dana jumped in beside him. I guess she was going with us.

We sat together in the vehicle until the vet was ready for us. Being a really hot July day, I couldn't leave Dana in the car, so she came in with us. I held him and cried as he drifted away from us. Thankfully it was an easy transition for him. As I was ready to leave, Dana walked over to him and touched his ear.

There were many days of tears after that but I was so glad we had Dana to hug and love. She wasn't eating well, but that was to be expected. Still, a vet visit seemed like a good idea. Yes, she was depressed. Antidepressants might work. I decided to give her another week to see if we couldn't work it out and made a follow up appointment for the next week.

We were giving her Reiki treatments which seemed to calm her but did not bring her spirits up. I took her everywhere with me, including work. She ate less and less. Changing food didn't work very well. Feeding her "people food" didn't either. Finally, the day before her follow up appointment she stopped eating all together.

A frantic call got us an evening appointment. We stayed home from work and cuddled most of the day. Around 5 o'clock Dana left my side and walked across the room to lie down. I saw her start to shake and ran to hold her. A second later, she was gone.

I'm sure there is some medical reason she died. But I know the real reason was her need to continue to be with and take care of her little brother. I respect her decision and love her all the more for it.

Momisims!

2010-04-29T05:24:00.000-07:00

Why? Because I said so.

I'm counting to ten.

If everyone jumped off of a cliff would you do it too?

You weren't born in a barn? Shut the door!

Do any of these phrases sound familiar? Do you find yourself saying them? If so, it happened. You became your mother!

Scary thought, made even scarier, if like me, you don't have any children and you find your self saying them to the dog!

I have a great mom. She is actually at the top of the list of people I admire. She 's not famous. She didn't invent anything or break any records. She simply raised three daughters and she did it very well. To me, that is a huge accomplishment.

Mother's Day has been celebrated in various ways since Greek and Roman times. In the U.S., Mother's Day became a National holiday in 1914 due o the efforts of many women, including Julie Ward Howe, pacifist, suffragist, and author to the lyrics to the "Battle Hymn of the Republic and Anna Jarvis.

Anna was inspired by her own mother, an Appalachian homemaker who organized "Mother's Work Day" to raise the awareness of poor health conditions in her community.

So to woman like Julie Ward Howe, Anna Jarvis and my own mom. Happy Mother's Day! And Thanks.

Featured gift basket, A Moment In Time, a perfect gift for Mother's Day or any day.

Love

Marie

Holiday Gift For Seniors

2009-12-12T02:15:00.000-08:00

It's often difficult to choose a gift for an older person, especially if they are living in an assisted living community or small apartment. The last thing they need, or want, is more stuff. At Laurel Mountain Basket Company we recommend choosing gifts that are practical and totally consumable.
A pretty package of tea with a small box of cookies and chocolates will bring a smile and lift anyone's spirits. A couple of bars of hand made soap tied up in a pretty bow is a nice touch. A box of all occasion cards or note cards with a book of postage stamps would be appreciated by anyone, especially if they have a difficult time getting out.
Several small denomination gift cards to the local supermarket or prepaid phone cards are thoughtful gifts that help stretch a tight budget.
Most of all, it really is the thought that counts. This holiday season remember that little things can make a big difference.

HOLIDAY SHOPPING - EASY AS 1-2-3

2009-12-07T02:24:00.000-08:00

At Laurel Mountain Basket Company, we make your Holiday Shopping as easy as one-two-three.

One - make your list (check it twice)

Two - set your budget. We have great Holiday Gift Baskets to fit every budget.

Three - pick up the phone and call!

It really is that easy. All of our gift baskets are hand made in our Easthampton, Massachuetts studio with quality products, many from local vendors. We use maple syrup that comes from sugar houses in Easthampton and Northampton, past and herb mixes from Colrain, Salsa from Williamsburg and chocolate covered cranberry candies from Cape Cod.

Ordering is easy too. You can call us at 413-527-1243 and speak with one of our design experts. We will custom design a basket for you or you can check out and order your Christmas gift baskets on line.

Kosher, gluten free or other special diet? Our design experts can assist you in creating a beautiful gift basket that suits your needs.

Let us take the stress out of your Holiday shopping.

Best wishes for a very Happy Holiday!
Marie

Art Guild Joins Winter Festival

2009-11-15T09:47:00.000-08:00

The Annual Arts & Crafts Winter Festival at Eastworks keeps growing. This year we are joined by The Easthampton Arts Appreciation Guild.

Artists from the Easthampton Arts Appreciation Guild invite you to experience their creations done in watercolor, acrylic, and pastel. This truly eclectic collection includes landscapes, waterscapes, landmarks, and more. The works reflect the artists' experiences extending across the country and the world. While this group is diverse, it has some important things in common; the love of art and the desire to share it with you.

Guild Members

Hazel Adolphson
Linda LaBorde
Elizabeth Chase
Dennis Dymek
Terry Faivre
Sylvia Favaloro
Joanne O'Leary
Mary Ann Phoenix
Marjorie Tauer

Winter Festival 2009

2009-11-01T08:49:00.000-08:00

When Laurel Mountain Basket Company was a part time business/hobby, I spent every weekend between Halloween and Christmas participating in local craft fairs.

Craft fairs were not only great places to display and sell my Christmas gift baskets, they were great places to buy unique Christmas gifts for my friends and family.

The first year I applied to every show in the area. The second year I was a bit more selective and ruled out those where many of the "crafters" made crocheted toilet tissue covers and clothespin reindeer. I sold a lot of gift baskets at these fairs but it was a lot of work. By the third year, I was attending only my two favorites.

When I opened my retail space in an old converted factory building I stopped doing fairs altogether. I got together with some of the others in the building, we contacted some friends and started our own show. It was so much fun that we decided to do it every year.

I may be a little biased but I think The Annual Winter Arts & Crafts Festival at the Marketplace at Eastworks is one of the best arts & crafts shows in Western Massachusetts. We have some of the finest artisans and crafters in the Pioneer Valley, many of whom have been with us since the first one. Clients and the community at large look forward to the event because they know they will find one-of-a-kind handcrafted gifts, reasonably priced. There is something for everyone.

Join us this year on Saturday December 4th and Sunday December 5th from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. both days. We are located in Easthampton, MA, just minutes North of Springfield. For directions check the Eastworks website at www.eastworks.com

Artists and crafters, we still have openings in some of our categories. If you would like more information, contact me at info@laurelmtbasket.com

Holiday Rush

2009-10-10T03:41:00.001-07:00

It was the first week in October and I was pricing floor tiles in one of the big box stores. I overheard the manager explaining to his crew that they would be getting their Christmas Holiday merchandise in by the end of the week. They were to start making room for it so that it could be out on display as soon as it arrived.

Now, in addition to being on line, Laurel Mountain Basket Company has a retail gift shop located in Easthampton, MA. I know I have to start planning for the Holiday Season early. We need to start creating our new designs in July and August so that we can order our supplies for an October delivery. But, I am NOT going to put our Holiday designs out on display in our store before Halloween!

I love all of the Holidays and I want to enjoy each of them to the max. I celebrate Take Your Dog To Work Day! So I think it is a shame to rush over any of them.

Celebrate Halloween! Make a huge bowl of pop corn, turn down the lights and cuddle on the sofa with your family while you watch scary movies together.

Thanksgiving is one of my favorites. Roasted turkey and pumpkin pie are the best. And in our family there is always a birthday cake. I was born on Thanksgiving day so it is a really special holiday to me.

I absolutely love Christmas!!!! Only my friend Jeannie out does me with Christmas decorating. I do think she starts decorating around now because every nook and cranny in her beautiful home is filled with the Christmas spirit. And then, she bakes enough cookies and sweet breads to feed the town.

So, my advice to you is that you savor each day because each one is a holiday. Don't rush over Mad Hatter Day, Cookie Monster Day or Cat Herders Day. Enjoy each one to the fullest.

What Makes a Good Boss?

2009-10-01T14:36:00.000-07:00

"The first thing the secretary types is the boss." Donald Trump

Friday, October 16th is Boss's Day. In 1952, Patricia Haroski while working as a secretary, registered National Boss's Day with the US Chamber of Commerce. It was a day that gave employees the opportunity to recognize and thank their bosses. Ten years later October 16th was officially proclaimed National Boss's Day.

Those of us who have worked outside of the home have had experience working with a boss. I encountered my first boss at the age of 11 when I worked a summer job picking cucumbers. Yes, it was legal for children to work on farms for pay in Massachusetts in the 1960's. Since then, I have held a number of jobs and have had a number of bosses.

I guess I have been lucky because, although there were one or two that I will be happy never to have to work for again, most of the bosses I have had were what I consider "good" bosses. One or two I'd even consider "exceptional".

While researching Boss's Day, I found the general criteria for considering someone a good boss, is that they are kind and fair. I agree that both kindness and fairness are excellent qualities to have in a boss but found the best bosses I had were good communicators and good listeners too. They were also generous with their time. They encouraged me to grow and were willing to teach me the skills I'd need to do so.

I am self employed at this time so I don't have a traditional "boss" to celebrate with on October 16th. But I will say thank you to all of my bosses. Each one is very special to me.

May be you will share with me the qualities you believe make someone a "good" boss. I'd love to hear from you.

(Simple Elegance Gift Basket shown above)

It's a Dog's Life

2009-09-19T08:50:00.000-07:00

"Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.” (Roger Caras)

October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month. As we have in the past, Laurel Mountain Basket Company's Studio will be a collection station for donations. In addition to dog (and cat) food, gently used toys, bedding, collars, leashes, and towels, area shelters are in need of office supplies and cleaning supplies such as laundry detergent, bleach and paper towels.

According to the ASPCA, 29 % of dogs are left at shelters because of family living situations and 40% are left because of incompatibility with the family lifestyle or the dog did not meet the family's expectations.

I am amazed at the amount of money people are paying for dogs these day. A friend told me they were looking to purchase a particular breed of dog and they were prepared to spend $2000. A "for sale" posting on a local bulletin board offered mixed breed puppies for $300 each and yet many of these dogs end up at shelters because the owners were not prepared to take on the responsibilities associated with owning a dog.

I can't imaging living without a dog. I've had at least one dog as a companion for the last 50 years, so I know what a huge responsibility they are.

Owning a dog is a long term commitment since a dog may life 15 years and they need daily care.

Owning a dog is expensive. In addition to the bare essentials of food and medical care, dogs need training and in most areas, they need to be licensed. Other costs can include grooming, day care, dog walking, kenneling or in home care when the owner will be away for an extended period of time.

If you are considering adding a dog to your household, please consider adopting from a shelter and please give a little thought to the type of dog (large, small, short hair, low energy) and choose one that will best suit your family structure.

P.S. At Laurel Mountain Basket Company we donate a portion from the sale of all of our pet gifts and gift baskets to area shelters. Looking for a special gift for a special dog, how about a personalized pet treat tin!

Thanks

Marie

Fun for the Young & Young at Heart

2009-09-05T15:20:00.000-07:00

A friend and her husband recently took their daughter and a friend to see the latest "must see" tween age girl movie. She said the amount of money that they spent, for parking, tickets, popcorn and a drink, would have paid for a nice dinner for two at an upscale restaurant.
Spending time doing something that is fun with the kids doesn't have to break the bank.
A Home Movie Night can be lots of fun. Rent a video (or borrow one from your local library) and snuggle on the sofa with a huge bowl of popcorn. I still remember how much fun it was watching Wizard of Oz on TV with my folks and kid sisters and that was 30/40 years ago! Creating cherished memories for your kids (and for yourself) is really very easy.
Create a Game Night: My favorite is board game is Monopoly. Got beaten badly by my nephew the last time we played, but it was really fun! Choose a couple of age appropriate games and settle down for an evening of heavy competition! Have an ample supply of cookies and coca or chips and dips on hand and you are ready for hours of fun. You may be pleasantly surprised when your child whoops you good at "Chutes and Ladders" or "Crazy Eights"
Night at the Movies Gift Basket (shown) designed by Laurel Mountain Basket Company Easthampton, Ma.

It's Personal

2009-08-23T06:54:00.000-07:00

Gift baskets are a great gift idea. That's why you will find them in discount stores, large department and grocery stores and pharmacy chains across the country. Especially during the Holidays. Some of the gift baskets are actually pretty nice, but to me, they lack imagination. Getting a gift basket filled with coffee mugs, flavored coffee and cookies, all sporting the logo of a major national coffee chain, tells me little thought went into buying that gift.
At a gift basket company like Laurel Mountain Basket Company you will find gift baskets with personality. Gift baskets designed especially for events like birthdays or bereavements, or for individuals with a passion like golf or fishing. A gift basket can be so much more than the sum of its parts. It can be a gift as unique as the person giving it and the person receiving it.

Seasons Greetings!

2009-08-19T08:48:00.000-07:00

I know, it's August, but in our world it's time to start planning for the Holiday Season. It's actually lots of fun. Catalogs from all of our suppliers are arriving daily and we get to go SHOPPING! Shopping is my favorite sport.
This year we are putting together a new line of New England gift baskets but will continue to feature locally made treats like pancake mix and maple syrup from the Pioneer Valley, chocolates and cranberry candies from Cape Cod, jams and jellies and even salsa from the Berkshire hills. We will be bringing back some of your old favorites like Little House of Thyme and adding some new ones we know you will love like Appalachian Naturals.
We love the shea butter soaps and beeswax candles handmade by local craftspeople and will be featuring these items in many of our Bath and Body Gift Baskets like our Holiday SPA Gift Basket shown here.
We will be posting our new designs on our blog so check back with us regularly. If you have any design favorites, let us know.
Enjoy the rest of your summer,
Marie

Dog Days

2009-08-17T06:09:00.000-07:00

At Laurel Mountain Basket Company, we love pets. So when I recently read an article about summertime safety tips for pets, I thought I would pass the information along.
1. Never leave your pets in the car. When the temperature outside starts climbing above 70 degrees, the temperature inside the car can reach 100 degrees in a matter of minutes.
2. Make sure your pets have access to plenty of water at all times. To keep the water cool, add several ice cubes. Remember that they will need to pee more, so be sure to increase the number of times you take them outside.
3. If your pets spend lots of time with the family in outdoor activities, be careful that they don't over do it. A leisurely bike ride for you can be a stressful run for your dog.
4. Not all dogs are great swimmers. When boating make sure your pet is wearing a properly fitting life preserver at all times.
5. Pets can have allergic reactions to insect bites and bee stings. Be alert. If you think your pet has been stung or bitten, call your vet. Swelling from the poisons in bites or stings can cause breathing problems that can be fatal.
Your pets rely on you to take care of them. Be a responsible pet companion.

Enjoy a fun filled summer with your pets.

Marie

It's Easy

2009-08-15T05:33:00.000-07:00

Press one for English, enter your 99 digit number, if you know your party's extension, dial it now, listen carefully since our options have changed, all of our operators are busy helping other customers...... and then when you finally do get to talk to a person, they can't help you and have to transfer you to yet another person who can't help you. Sound familiar? This is what many companies consider "customer service".

You won't find that kind of service at Laurel Mountain Basket Company. When you call us, you will get one of two responses. Either a cheerful human will answer the phone and be ready and able to help you or you will get a short recorded message, informing you we are not in and asking you to leave a message. When you leave a message, you WILL get a response. A human, who is ready and able to help you, WILL return your call as soon as we return to the Studio.

We make ordering a gift basket from Laurel Mountain Basket Company so simple any one can do it. No time to shop? Shop 24/7 on our website which is designed to make choosing a gift and ordering it as easy as it can be. All of our gift baskets are individually created at the time of purchase, not sitting in a warehouse for days or weeks.

We also custom design gift baskets for our clients. Don't see exactly what you are looking for on line? We will create it for you. Our gift basket designers are professionals. They can answer all of your questions and help you make informed decisions. Whether you need a single gift for some one who is hard to buy for or 100 gifts for a corporate event, we can help. It's easy, just give us a call at Laurel Mountain Basket Company, "where gift giving won't make you a basket case!"

Happy shopping,

Marie

Happy Anniversary

2009-08-07T05:59:00.000-07:00

August is a busy month for weddings and anniversaries. I love to read wedding announcements in the newspaper but I love reading the anniversary announcement even more. My husband and I have been married for 32 years, some times it seems like yesterday, and other times it seems live forever. Having been married that long, I am amazed at couples who have been married for 50, 60 and even 65 years!
Every anniversary is a milestone in the life of a couple and is usually marked with a special gift. There are traditions associated with giving wedding anniversary gifts, different types of gifts being considered appropriate for each year. Here is a listing for the first 10 years and then for the more significant milestones after that. The list was compiled taking into account the more traditional among us as well as the more modern. While putting the list together, I had fun imagining what I would actually buy to fit in each category. It was fun.
Anniversary /Traditional /Modern
First /paper /plastic
Second/ cotton/ cotton
Third/ leather/ glass
Fourth/ flowers/ silk
Fifth/ wood /wood
Sixth /candy /iron
Seventh/ wool/ brass
Eighth /bronze /pottery
Ninth/ pottery /willow
Tenth/ tin /aluminium
Twentieth/ china/ china
Twenty-fifth /silver/ silver
Thirtieth /pearl /pearl
Fortieth /ruby/ ruby
Forty-fifth/ sapphire /sapphire
Fiftieth/ gold/ gold
Fifty-fifth /emerald /emerald
Sixtieth/ diamond/ diamond
Wishing you all happy marriages from paper to diamonds.
Marie and everyone at Laurel Mountain Gift Basket Company

College Survival Kits

2009-08-02T15:50:00.000-07:00

It seems like only yesterday that we were celebrating high school graduations across the region and in only a few weeks, many of those graduates will be on their way to college.

For some, it will be their first time away from home. It can be a big adjustment for both students and parents. With cell phones and e-mail staying in touch today is easier than ever before. So parents, make it a point to contact your student regularly, at least for the first few weeks while they get adjusted.

Another great way to stay in touch is with care packages. At Laurel Mountain Basket Company we offer a full line of care packages especially designed for students, including our Off To College Kits. Sending a package filled with not so gourmet treats is a fun way to let your student know that you are thinking of them. For a limited time, to help offset the cost of higher education, we are offering FREE SHIPPING of our Off To College Kits to colleges and universities within the continental United States.
For more information, check out our website at http://www.laurelmtbasket.com/ or you can call us at 413-527-1243.

Summer Time In New England

2009-07-12T15:25:00.000-07:00

It's summer time in New England and the Pioneer Valley is covered in lush green under a bright blue sky. Farm stands are filled with local produce. We've lived here all of our lives and every summer we enjoy shopping at the local farms. There's nothing tastier than fresh sweet corn on the cob or a veggie kabob on the grill. From acorn squash to zucchini you'll find it all in our little corner of the world.

We love living in New England. At Laurel Mountain Basket Company we spend a lot of time traveling around, constantly on the look out for new and different products to add to our gift baskets. We've recently discovered Bleu Cheese Chipoltle dip and Sundried Tomato Horseradish dip from Appalachian Naturals. Bleu cheese chipoltle and sundried tomato horseradish are not flavors usually associated with New England but these taste treats are made right here from ingredients grown on local farms.

Our Home Grown Gift Basket (photo above) is a new and different taste of New England. Summer time is the time for family gatherings and one of our New England style gift baskets makes a great hostess gift.

Have a sunny summer and remember to eat your veggies!
Marie

Bear Fest Easthampton 2009

2009-06-30T09:33:00.000-07:00

Bear Fest Easthampton 2009 is in full swing. On June 13th the Easthampton City Arts unveiled 35 artist created fiberglass bears in and around downtown Easthampton, MA.

On Sunday, my husband, my 2 dogs and I took a walk to view many of the creations with names like Ted E. Bear, Ursa Major, Bumble Bear (shown in photo), and Bear Hugs. It took us hours to walk the short distance because we kept meeting friends and neighbors with their families enjoying the bears as well. All of the bears are beautifully painted, or otherwise artistically enhanced.

In honor of Bear Fest, Mt Tom Ice Cream created a special ice cream treat and Opa Opa, the local brewery created a special brew. At Laurel Mountain Basket Company, we are featuring our Bear-y Special Gift Basket.

Bear Fest 2009 will continue through out the summer with city wide events culminating in a week-long celebration of the arts including concerts, an ArtWalk, and a gala dinner and auction of the bears on October 15th.

For those of you in Western Massachusetts, take a stroll around downtown. I guarantee you will have a great time. Stop for an ice cream at Mt Tom's or a coffee and pastry at Sunrise. Try the Sunday buffet at Your Way Gourmet, and while you are in Eastworks (that's where Bumble Bear and Astronaut Bear are), stop by the Laurel Mountain studios and say hello.

Happy Father's Day

2009-05-22T06:13:00.000-07:00

My Dad was a blue collar worker who didn't wear a lot of ties so thinking up a great Father's Day gift that wouldn't strain my baby sitting money budget was not an easy task. Slippers were a good choice but then Mom would have to chip in. So, poor Dad usually ended up with a bottle of Aqua Velva After Shave and a cake of Williams Shaving Soap.
No matter what you get Dad for Father's Day, you know he is going to love it. As Bill Cosby said, "Fatherhood is pretending that the present you love the most is soap-on-a-rope".
You can give Dad a gift he really will love and one that he may even share with you. A night at the movies is a fun gift basket filled with not so gourmet treats that a perfect for gathering the family together to watch the latest DVD or an old time favorite. Fix up a big bowl of micro wave pop corn (included) and munch away. While you're at it check out some of our other Father's Day gift basket designs.
Happy Father's Day!
Marie

Final Exam Survival Kit

2009-05-12T07:42:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again. School is about to end, Summer Vacation is about to begin. Many students are only weeks away from graduation. Weeks away form starting a new chapter in their lives. Some will be going on to college, some will by starting their careers. But before Summer Vacation, before graduation, before starting college or a career, they face Final Exams!
Show your favorite student that you are thinking of them and wish them good luck with a Final Exam Survival Kit from Laurel Mountain Basket Company. Our eco friendly boxes are filled with a generous assortment of "not so gourmet" snack items including popcorn, cookies, granola bars, candy bars, and more, all of the things late night study sessions are made of. A hand written note is included to let your student know that you are there for them.

Happy Mother's Day

2009-05-03T08:22:00.000-07:00

Mothers are very special people. On the second Sunday in May, it will be the 102nd anniversary of Mother's Day. I report I read recently stated that 96% of us in the U.S. celebrate Mother's Day. Mother's Day is the day phone companies log the most long distance calls, it is the busiest day of the year for many restaurants and retailers rank Mother's Day second only to Christmas.
If you are a statistics junkie, like me, here are some more numbers that I found really interesting. In the U.S. there are an estimated 82.8 MILLION mothers, of mothers with infants, 27 million (almost 3/4) work outside of the home. The odds of a woman delivering twins are 1 in 33 and for triplets or other multiple births, 1 in 539. The woman from California who gave birth to octuplets earlier this year should be living in Vegas.
My mom is great. I'm lucky. She lives in the area and I get to see her often. But like the shoemaker whose family goes barefoot, I get so busy at the Laurel Mountain Basket Company studio making gift baskets for other people to send for Mother's Day, I'm usually putting together something for my own Mom at the very last minute.
Remember Sunday, May 10th. Give your mom a call, take her to lunch and if you want to send her a gift especially created with her in mind, we would be happy to design one for you. We also have a great line of gift basket designs that are perfect for Mother's Day . We deliver to cities and towns in the Pioneer Valley section of Western Massachusetts and ship anywhere.

Most Interesting Gift Baskets

2009-04-29T07:05:00.000-07:00

At Laurel Mountain Basket Company we create gift baskets for every occasion and will custom design gift baskets for our clients.
An interviewer once asked me what was the most interesting gift basket I ever made. My answer: a baby basket for a horse. A client wanted a gift basket for her friends horse. The horse had recently given birth and my client thought it would be fun to send a gift basket.
It was a challenge. But it was really fun to design. I used a straw cow boy hat as the "basket". Made a trip to the local feed and grain store (not one of my usual shopping haunts) where I purchased some carrot flavored cookies, shampoo and conditioner, a curry brush and a few other items necessary to create a SPA basket for a horse. My client loved it, as did her friend. I don't know what the horse thought.
So when I read article about the 20 horses entered in the Kentucky Derby receiving gift baskets, I wasn't that surprised. These gift basket will contain stuff a highly trained athlete needs before a big race including a super joint solution to help with inflammation and stiffness.
At Laurel Mountain Basket Company we make a lot of gift baskets for pets and the people who love them. Most are for dogs or cats or their owners but occasionally we get a request that makes us smile. Some day I'll tell you about the one we made for a Ferret.
Give your pet a big hug!
Marie

Great Non-Food Gifts

2009-04-16T04:27:00.001-07:00

Professional Assistant's Day is April 22nd this year. I've talked with several of my clients in the medical field who want to recognize their assistants with a gift but are not comfortable giving a gift basket filled with Chocolates and other sweets.
So many people today are making an effort to eat well, and even though an occasional sweet treat is allowed, it would be counter productive to send a gift basket filled with "guilt".
Have you found yourself in this situation? If so, a SPA gift basket from Laurel Mountain Basket Company may be just what you are looking for. The Mini Spa (picutred above) is the perfect little gift. Two bars of hand made soap, a wooden soap tray and nail brush are wrapped in cello and tied with a pretty little bow. The soaps are high quality bars of 20% shea butter, olive, coconut and palm oil blended with essential oils and herbs. Just right for saying thank you, they also make great hostess gifts or a little something to bring to a friend in the hospital.
So, when faced with the problem of giving a gift to a friend who is working to stay fit, think of our Spa gift baskets. They are a great reward for being good.
Smile and be happy,

Marie

Spring Arts & Craft Festival

2009-03-30T08:55:00.001-07:00

In addition to my website at http://www.laurelmtbasket.com/ I have a brick and mortar retail studio located in a beautifully renovated factory building called Eastworks in Easthampton, Ma. Eastworks houses artists, crafters, two restaurants, small business, photographers, a driving school, the Pioneer Valley Ballet School, a salon, a gym and retail shops.
For the past several years, we merchants have gotten some of our very talented friends to join us the Saturday before Mother's Day for a Spring Festival. The juried show features locally produced jewelry, photography, art, home decor, clothing, gift baskets (by me of course), candles, handcrafted dolls, soaps and lotions, hand knits, pottery, and much, much more. We still have openings in a few categories so if you are an artist or crafter interested in obtaining a booth, contact me at www.info@laurelmtbasket.com.
Open to the public with no admission charge and free parking, the May 9th event begins at 10:00 a.m. and runs until 4:00 p.m. We still have a few opening for vendors in a few categories so if you are an artists or crafter and are interested in a booth, contact me at info@laurelmtbasket.com for details.
The Spring Festival at Eastworks is a great place to find one of a kind Mother's Day gifts. In addition to the crafters, artists and retailers, The Your Way Gourmet will be serving up delicious meals and snacks all day long.
Just 20 minutes north of Springfield, Ma we conveniently located on Pleasant Street in Easthampton. For driving directions, go to the Eastworks website at http://www.eastworks.com/.

Administrative Professionals Day -Apr 22nd

2009-03-15T15:19:00.000-07:00

According to Wikipedia, National Secretaries Week (the predecessor of Administrative Professionals week) was created in 1952. Working with the marketing firm of Young & Rubican, the International Association of Administrative Professionals was concerned about the shortage of skilled office workers and wanted to encourage people to consider careers in the secretarial and administrative support fields by promoting the value and importance of administrative jobs. In 1981 the name was changed to Professional Secretaries Week and in 2000 it was again changed to Administrative Professionals Week. The name changes reflected the changes in responsibilities and the expanding wide range of job titles taking place in the administrative support field.
No matter what you choose to call it, it is an opportunity to show your administrative staff how much you appreciate their hard work and dedication. You may think that a good salary, pleasant office environment and generous benefits are what employees want from a job. These are important of course, but when asked what they wanted, many responded that they wanted respect, to be appreciated and to know that the organization valued their contribution. A sincere "thank you" will go a long way.
In good times and in hard times, a loyal, professional staff contributes greatly to the health of any organization.
Call your gift basket professional assistant today! At Laurel Mountain Basket Company we offer a full line of appropriate corporate gift baskets , like our Daily Grind Gift Basket (shown). We design our gift basket to fit every taste and every budget.

Going Green In Holyoke

2009-03-03T05:12:00.000-08:00

For those of us who grew up in the Valley (the Pioneer Valley that is) and marched the 2.6 mile long parade route with our high school band or town drum corp, the Holyoke (MA) St Patrick's Day Parade is not only a part of our own personal history but is an annual event shared with family and friends. Started in 1952 the Holyoke Parade has grown to become the second largest in the country, New York City's being number one. The event draws over one million viewers, boasts 40,000 marchers, 30 floats and 40 marching bands including the Philadelphia Mummers and Springfield's (MA) own Melha Shriners.
Over the 57 year history many famous people have marched along side our high school bands including the then Senator, John F. Kennedy and his wife, actor Robert Stack, actress Maureen O'Hara, author Tom Clancy as well as astronauts, and national sports figures. Of course, no St Patrick's Day Parade would be worth its green beer without a beautiful Coleen and her court, local dignitaries and contingents from the area Chambers of Commerce.
In 1976, a 10K road race was added to the festivities. Held the Saturday before the Parade, the race continues to grow, last year hosting 3,000 runners. Many acomplished runners use the Holyoke event as a training race for the Boston Marathon. The celebration also includes Irish Night events in many of the surrounding towns featuring the traditional corned beef and cabbage dinners with plenty of Irish soda bread and of course, green beer.
It's great fun.... Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!!

Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!

2009-02-22T06:16:00.000-08:00

The Easthampton Bear Fest 2009 has begun. On Thursday night Easthampton celebrated with a Welcome the Bears Party! a Mardi Gras themed party held at Eastworks and catered by Apollo Grill. Party goers had the opportunity to view the over 130 proposals and vote for their favorite. The judges are going to have their hands full. There are only 30 life sized fiberglass bear sculptures and every one of the proposals I saw was amazing! On Friday, a Free Family Welcome the Bears Party took place at Eastworks. It was an opportunity for kids as well as adults to see the unpainted bears, view the proposals and vote for their favorite Local artists were on hand to help the kids make their own bear masks. CREATE Children's Art Studio hosted a "decorate your own bear" day. Kira created cute "bear statutes" to give little artists the opportunity to paint or otherwise decorate their own bear. A special bear will be marching with the Easthampton City Arts contingent in the Holyoke St. Patrick's Day Parade (want to be involved? -- contact Easthampton Bear Fest or the Easthampton City Arts for information) and on June 13th there will be Bear unveiling during Art Walk! The Bears will be on display around the down town area for four months and the event will culminate October 11 -18 with a week long celebration of the arts, a gala ball and the auction of the Bears! The proceeds will benefit Eathampton public schools art programs, Riverside Industries Art Program, provide commmissions to the artists who decorate the Bears and to help sustain Easthampton City Arts.At Laurel Mountain Basket Company, we love bears! Our Bear-y-Special Gift Basket is one of the gift baskets we are featuring for Mother's Day this year and bears of all sizes in our large assortment of baby gift baskets.

Tea For Two Or Just For You!

2009-02-15T03:55:00.000-08:00

I loved coffee. I would drink pots of the rich, delicious liquid every day. A treat for me was a trip to the new Starbucks in town for a Grande. Forget the biscotte or other sweet bakery treats offered as an afternoon boost. Give me a tall, hot cup of coffee!

Not today. Today I'll still enjoy a cup of coffee after a dinner out, or a breakfast meeting, but today my drink of choice is tea. In my Gift Basket shop I carry an assortment of teas as part of my inventory and I like to taste test the product I sell. I especially like to test chocolates and cookies, and I let my husband test the salsas and bar-b-que sauces. My dogs love to test the dog cookies and new toys! Anyway, I started testing the variety of teas I was offering and found that I really enjoyed the green teas and the white teas.

We have a local tea blender, The Tea Guys where I get some really exciting teas. Being from Massachusetts, and featuring many designs themed for Cape Cod, I use a lot of their Cranberry Harvest tea. It really captures the sweet-tangy taste associated with cranberries.

I find drinking a warm mug of tea sooths my spirit so I use teas in many of our bereavement and get well gift baskets. I'll often choose a green tea or fruit tea to compliment a gift basket filled some short breads and butter cookies while I'll use a stronger breakfast tea or Earl Gray with heartier fare such as pancake mix and locally produced maple syrup. No matter what teas I use, we top our cello wrapped gift baskets with beautifully crafted, colorful bows.

So, the next time you are looking for a really great gift idea for the tea drinker in your life, you'll find a great selection at http://www.laurelmtbasket.com/ . We're working on our 2009 line of gift baskets for Mother's Day. Be sure to check them out while your there.

Thanks

Marie

Best In Show

2009-02-04T06:26:00.001-08:00

On February 9th and 10th we'll be watching a group of real champions at the 133rd Westminster Dog Show at Madison Square Garden. 169 breeds and varieties of dogs will be judged in seven different groups: Hounds, Terriers, Non-Sporting, Sporting, Herding, Working and Toy. One dog from each group is named Best In Breed and one will be judged Best In Show.
Last year after the show, we asked our clients to send us photos of their "champions" and tell us a little about them.
Our dog Dana holds the distinction of being judged Best in the Herding class again this year. We may be a little prejudice but she's still a champ at keeping our home from being overrun by chipmunks and squirrels.
Best in the Sporting class goes to our Chocolate Lab friend Sadie. I understand that you'd better not miss a shot while bird hunting with Sadie because she'll give you a look that lets you know you are totally incompetent and strongly suggests that you go back the range for more practice. Sadie just had her first litter. She and her nine puppies are doing fine, it's her human we are concerned about. While she is at the kennel, he's having to work on the house and drive around in his pick up truck all by himself.
Best of the Working class was the most difficult to judge. Many of our clients' dogs work very hard with their humans all day long. Gunner, Julee, and Sparky's owners all have home offices in which the dogs work very hard watching over their mistresses.
Our boy Fox is hands down winner in the Toy class. There is no toy in the world that does not belong to Fox and he will let you know in no uncertain terms. Just ask his sister Dana. But she has the game all figured out. She steals his "toy de jour" while he's eating and parades around with it until he is in tears.
A big silver loving cup is nice, but our champions prefer a more dog friendly prize, like their very own personalize doggie treat tin filled with lots of yummy treats and toys or a Best In Show Gift Basket with enough toys to keep them entertained for hours. We also have great gift baskets for people too! Visit us at www.laurelmtbasket.com .

Great Valentine Gift Baskets For Him

2009-01-18T11:54:00.000-08:00

Looking for a unique Valentine's Day gift for your guy? A gift basket filled with great not so gourmet "guy" food is the perfect solution. Does he love fishing? Fill a tackle box with jars of salsa, chips, mixed nuts, some cheese and crackers, and watch him smile.
Does he love golf or his new truck, fixing things around the house or doing yard work? Custom design a gift basket using a golf ball bucket filled with his favorite treats and a box of his favorite golf balls. Fill a gallon bucket with car wash soap, wax, a sponge and drying cloth. Make sure you leave plenty of room for the "not so gourmet" treats he'll enjoy while washing and waxing the day away.
Creating a gift basket for your special guy is fun and easy. Don't have time? Check out the great selection of gift baskets for him at Laurel Mountain Basket Company including our "Hot Stuff" Gift Basket pictured above. This custom designed gift basket includes salsa and hot bar-b-que sauce, cheese, crackers, and other guy lovin' foods, more than lives up to it's name

All The Treats That Are Fit To Eat!

2009-01-03T10:00:00.000-08:00

This morning I read a blog that got me thinking about all of the different kinds of items that go into gift baskets. The author wrote about how much she loved the office breakroom after the holidays because coworkers will bring in items from gift baskets they received.
I think it's great to share. I received a big box of chocolates from my mother in law this Christmas. I love chocolates, and I know I would eat the whole box in short order and regret it soon after. So, I had a couple or three or four and brought the rest in to the Studio to share with customers and the crew.
But, as I said, the blog got me thinking about gift baskets that I have seen and that my family has received, that contained foods we had no interest in ! There were "weird" foods I couldn't imagine who would want to eat.
I include some "interesting" food products in my gift baskets. A couple of examples are Cape Cod's Caviar by Appalachian Naturals and Bog Frogs by Cape Cod Provisions, LLC. Cape Cod's Caviar is a delicious organic cranberry sauce and Bog Frogs are a yummy cranberry, cashew, and caramel chocolate covered candy. The names just happen to be unusual.
When I was forming my business plan for Laurel Mountain Basket Company I vowed not to include items in my gift baskets that I personally wouldn't enjoy receiving. Because I am not a big fan of spicy foods, I make my husband taste test the salsa, salad dressings, mustards and such while I concentrate on the chocolates and cookies. Our dogs even test the dog treats and toys we use in our pet gift baskets! Taste testing new product is one activity that I don't have trouble recruiting help for.
My husband likes to sample the inventory so much that I am afraid to leave him in the Studio for very long unsupervised. He really loved it when I was operating the business out of the house because there was always a great supply of great snack food within walking distance of his recliner and remote. He especially likes the Ghiraradelli and Guylian chocolates, and Brent & Sam's and Nonni's cookies.
In addition to using these fine gourmet foods, we've searched out many excellent locally made products from companies like The Tea Guys, Terra Americana, and The Little House of Thyme to give our gift baskets that New England flavor.
At Laurel Mountain Basket Company our gift baskets are designed in good taste and designed to taste good.

Laurel Mountain Cupboard

2008-12-31T09:06:00.000-08:00

I'm often asked where I get all of the wonderful products we use in our gift baskets. Although we design gift baskets for all occasions and themes, we are known through out the US for our New England style gift baskets. I believe one of the reasons they are so popular is that we work with a number of small local vendors. Having access to so many sources means that we always have a wide variety of items to choose from. I am always looking for new vendors from our local area or from around New England to add to our list.

I found my local honey supplier when a man approached me in the parking lot of a grocery store. (I have signs with the Laurel Mountain Basket Company logo and contact information on the front doors and tailgate). He is involved with a local apiary association and recommended a really fine apiary not two miles from my home. It is a small operation so I wasn't surprised I had not heard of them but their honey is fantastic!

I was recently asked by a client to custom design a breakfast gift basket . He had seen the one on our site but he needed one for a group of 20 to 30 people and he wanted us to use products from all six New England states. The challenge was to find product that was ready to eat since the gift basket would be presented at a morning breakfast meeting of corporate executives. We contacted a local bakery (one of my personal favorites) to provide fresh breads and muffins then set out to find several different jams, jellies and honeys, as well as fresh roasted coffee, blended tea (check out our friends at www.teaguys.com if you want some really excellent tea!)and other items like cheeses and salsas. It goes without saying that all of the products we use at Laurel Mountain Basket Company have to be delicious, but we require that they have a nice presentation too. Our gift baskets are a reflection on our clients and our job is to help our clients make a great impression.

I found so many wonderful new products while designing that gift basket that I decided to add an new element to Laurel Mountain Basket Company . We will be stocking our Studio with many of the locally made products that we use in our gift baskets and make them available to our clients. A couple of jars of jelly or a small jar of honey and a canister of tea make a great little gift. So, stop by and check out the cupboard!

Happy New Year,
Marie

Ready, Set,Shop!

2008-11-11T07:15:00.000-08:00

Shopping during the Holiday Season can be quite stressful. Crowded stores, limited time, and limited money, are all factors contributing to a stressful shopping experience. Here are a couple of tips to make Holiday shopping more enjoyable.

Plan ahead. Planning ahead is one way to limit the amount of stress brought on by shopping during the Holidays. Start by making lists. Make a list of people who you want to buy gifts for and determine how much money you are going to spend on each gift. Next, write down one or two gift ideas that fall within the pre determined price range next to each name.
Start your Holiday shopping early and plan to shop on more than one occasion if at all possible. By starting early and knowing you don't have to buy everything on your list that day, you will have a better chance of finding the gift you want at the price you can afford. If you wait until the last minute, you may find yourself spending more for a particular item or spending money on a gift simply to have "something" to give because you have run out of time. Spending more than your budget allows will certainly add stress to the Holiday Season and beyond.

Finding the "perfect" gift for that "hard to buy for" individual can create a lot of stress. The way to avoid this type of stress is to realize that you can't please everyone. Simply select a "nice" gift that is within your budget and be done with it.

Gift baskets are wonderful gifts for "hard to shop for" people. At Laurel Mountain Basket Company, we have a large selection of gift baskets designed for every occasion and we work with our clients to help them select ones that are appropriate to their needs.

A Little Taste of New England

2008-11-08T14:42:00.000-08:00

I love New England. To me it's not a place so much as a state of mind. So when I started Laurel Mountain Gift Basket Company almost 10 years ago, I created gift baskets that reflected the tastes and the people of New England. I sought out local artisans, farmers, chocolatiers, herb growers and sugar house operators, and developed a line of gift baskets made up almost entirely of locally produced goods.

Our line of New England Gift Baskets has been very successful, and as we discovered new products, we were able to increase the number of designs we could offer. So I was really excited when I discovered Appalachian Naturals a producer of all natural, certified organic foods made from ingredients grown on small New England farms. Now we will be able to add a line of all natural and organic products like their Veracruz Salsas and Cape Cod Caviar to our own New England gift baskets!

From Cape Cod to the Berkshires, from Maine to Rhode Island, we bring the taste of New England to where ever you are!

Food For Thought

2008-10-26T10:03:00.000-07:00

The month of October is Adopt A Shelter Dog Month. Laurel Mountain Basket Company is dog friendly and we donate a portion from the sale of all of our pet gifts to several local animal rescue services. I also donate items I know the shelters need to continue to operate. Items like gently used toys, office supplies and laundry supplies. This year I decided to send an e-mail to our clients and let them know, that during the month of October, I was collecting items for the local shelter. I know that our clients are great people but I was amazed at the response we got.

We collected several cases of canned dog and cat food, a big box of office supplies, another box of paper products and laundry supplies. Blankets, towels, pet dishes, collars, and leashes, Hundreds, yes hundreds, of dog and cat toys, all of them in perfect condition, many of them new. Dog beds and three cat condos!

Well, it's November and Thanksgiving is only a few weeks away. To me, Thanksgiving means food and lots of it. We celebrate Thanksgiving with my sister and her family in Connecticut and every year she serves up a wonderfully traditional Thanksgiving meal. Everything from turkey to pumpkin pie with plenty left over for sandwiches for the next day. It was touch and go with the stuffing the first couple of years after she got married since she and her husband wanted to use their family recipe. They've been married now for over 25 years, so I guess it worked out okay.

We are very fortunate but we know there are many who are not. That's why I've decided, since collecting for the shelters was such a success, we are going to collect food for our local food pantry. From now until Thanksgiving day, Laurel Mountain Basket Company will be collecting non perishable food for the Easthampton Food Pantry.

Help share our good fortune, bring your food contributions to the Laurel Mountain Basket Company studio at the Eastworks building at 116 Pleasant Street in Easthampton any time. We filled our Toyota 4 Runner with supplies for the animals, I' m hoping to do the same for the people of Easthampton.

Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving!

Breast Cancer Awareness

2008-10-05T08:50:00.001-07:00

Those of you who follow my blog know that I was going to participate in the Terry Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation Walk Across Southeastern Connecticut. Well, I am here to tell you I made it!!! My niece, Kate, a student at the University of New Hampshire, and I took part in the event on October 4th.

When Kate called me and invited me to walk with her, I immediately agreed, but one of my caveats was that I would donate my time and my feet but I would not raise any money, that would be totally up to her. She agreed. This may seem harsh to you but Kate is 20 years old and an idealist. Been there, done that, got lots of tee shirts. I have raised a lot of money for "causes" , as a business owner I am contacted daily by individuals and organizations wanting money. I have learned that as much as 60% to 80% of money goes to "administrative costs". I will not give my hard earned money nor ask anyone I know to give hard earned money to "causes" when the money does not get to the people it is supposed to help.

After committing to Kate, but before committing to the Terry Brodeur Foundation, I did some checking. Happily I found out that administrative costs of which there are many, are taken care of by soliciting area businesses for fund. These costs are not taken out of the money donated by participants or donors.

Having organized several fund raising events and having volunteered and/or participated in many more, I know that the costs associated with planning and executing one can be substantial. There are printing and mailing costs, for an event such as this, providing water, power drinks, granola bars and fruit for the walkers, transportation, advertising, tee shirts, signage, equipment rental, etc., etc, etc.

My company, Laurel Mountain Basket Company, occasionally will participate as a sponsor for a local event. Most recently we were one of the sponsors for the Whately Triathlon, a fund raiser for the Whately, MA Police Department. In most cases, such a the TBBCF Walk, I prefer to participate.

It was a great experience. Kate has raised most of the $500 pledge herself (she's still working on the last few dollars) and we're already talking about doing it again next year. When I said I would donate my feet, I didn't know how true a statement that was. My feet are KILLING me! I'm glad I plan ahead and scheduled a chiropractic appointment for this morning. I should have scheduled a massage as well.

If you have the opportunity to participate in an event such as this, I encourage you to do so. The experience will be well worth it but I caution you, make sure you are in good shape and that you train hard before hand.

Sincerely

Marie

The Best Dogs In The Universe

2008-09-19T12:08:00.000-07:00

I tell my dogs daily that I am very lucky because when I went looking to adopt a dog, I got the best dogs in the Universe. Okay, so I tell little white lies occasionally but you have to understand that their "universe" is rather small.
When we lost our Boarder Collie mix Cassie, my husband was lobbying for two dogs. We work all day and he felt that they could keep each other company. Great in theory but you've heard the expression "two can live as cheaply as one" well, "raising two dogs is as easy as raising one" is just as true. Also, I knew that I would be the one who would be doing 90% of the work, taking them to obedience classes, buying the food, visiting the vet, etc., etc., etc.
I have had a dog companion since I was in college. I've been lucky in that they have all been healthy and had long lives. Each of those four dogs has come from a shelter. So, we called F.A.C.E.S., Inc. in West Springfield, Ma. and arranged to see a litter of puppies they had. The home where the puppies were being cared for (F.A.C.E.S., Inc. is an all volunteer rescue and adoption service so the animals are kept in private homes) was about an hours drive from our house.

As soon as we entered the yard, a little black puppy came up to us. She was so beautiful and so cute, we both knew immediately that she was the dog for us. As I started making arrangements to sign the paperwork and write the check, my husband said, "Look over there. You have to see this other dog. The shy little guy in the corner." Somehow I just knew that if I looked, we would be signing paperwork for two dogs. Now I ask you, could you resist that face? I couldn't.

Two dogs rode home in the cabin of a pick up truck with us that day. Ten years later we are still one big happy family. Our cute little puppies have grown into two beautiful dogs and I've never regretted looking at the shy little guy in the corner and agreeing that we really did need two dogs.

Because we adopted our "best dogs in the Universe" from F.A.C.E.S., Inc. our company, Laurel Mountain Basket Company, donates a portion from the sale of every dog gift basket and dog gift to that organization. Please visit our site, and know that if you purchase one of our beautiful gift baskets, you will not only be giving a favorite pet or pet owner a great gift, you will be helping a wonderful organization.

What Was I Thinking?!

2008-09-12T11:22:00.000-07:00

Okay, I know it's for a good cause, the Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation's 2008 Walk Across Southeastern Connecticut, but when I agreed to do the walk, I didn't stop to think just how far 12 to 15 MILES really is. What was I thinking?

It started so innocently. My niece called and told me she wanted to do a benefit walk. I figured she was going to ask me for a pledge. She's in college now and I don't get to see her very often so when she asked if I would walk with her, I was thrilled. What a great experience it would be.

For the record, I thought I was in good shape. After all, I work out 3 or 4 mornings a week at the gym where I take a step & sculpt class twice a week, work with weights and work out on the machines as well. I take the dogs for a mile fast walk almost every day after work. A simple walk shouldn't be that difficult.

I did realize I would need to do some training. My friend Sue is a personal trainer and enters marathons and triathlons for fun so I asked her to work up a schedule for me. She was very encouraging, telling me I was already in good shape and would be fine. I got my schedule and was ready to rock and roll.

The first time I walked the treadmill for five miles at a steady 4.0 mph, I thought I was going to die! My energy level was still okay. My heart rate and breathing were fine. I just could not move. Every muscle from the waist down simply seized up! I didn't know how I was going to get across the entire gym to the locker room without a stretcher.

It took a very long sauna and hot shower to get me moving again. As long as I didn't make any sudden moves, I was fine. The next day wasn't too bad once I got both feet moving. Stairs were still a big challenge and bending over was totally out of the questions. Well, I'm pretty sure I'm past that now. I'm able to do 5 miles on the treadmill and feel great.

I hope on October 5th I'll be able to report that all went well, I finished the walk and am not in intensive care somewhere. One thing I am sure of, the next time someone asks me to do something like this, I'm going to donate a gift basket instead.

Laughing Out Loud

2008-09-10T15:34:00.000-07:00

The other day I received the funniest e-mail I have ever seen. Well, maybe not THE funniest but it sure was close. It made my day!

You don't have to work from home like the character Adam in the comic strip "Adam" to feel isolated in the work place. I work in a studio outside of my home but most of my business is done over the phone or via my website http://www.laurelmtbasket.com/ . Don't get me wrong. I love to work alone in an environment without distractions when I'm designing a new gift basket and especially at this time of year when I am designing a full line of gifts and gift baskets for the up coming holiday season.

But eight or ten hours is a long time so I'm really glad I have my on line friends who fill my inbox with the most insane e-mails. There are so many fun things out there that I'd never have time to find on my own. I don't spend time on You Tube but I'm sure glad someone does, because I really enjoy some of the amazing videos found there.

Many of my friends are artists, writers, crafters, designers of one sort or another or other professionals who also work solo. Swapping silly e-mails with them is a great way to take a break and spread some cheer.

There are days when you will catch me LOL for real. I especially enjoy photos and videos of cats and dogs (or any animal really) doing something silly. I love the Cats on a Treadmill and the Moose with the Sprinkler type videos. They are too cute and hysterically funny.

Be a good friend and share a laugh today!

Where Does The Time Go?

2008-09-01T05:33:00.000-07:00

I like to get to the Studio early. The uninterrupted quiet time before my fellow shop keepers and the pubic arrive is great for getting lots of work done. The other day I arrived at the Studio at 6:00 a.m. and worked until 3:00 p.m. On my way home, I was reviewing my day and felt that I hadn't done much in all that time. I realized that a huge chunk of my time was taken up with one simple project, getting my monthly e-mail ready to send to my clients. I couldn't believe that one simple e-mail could take hours to prepare.

I love using e-mail to communicate with my clients and the technology allows me to do so many things. I can link to other sites or link to specific pages on my own site including the pages containing the gift baskets we are featuring that month and our on line newsletter. I can add photos of our gift baskets and other graphics.

In the olden days (eight or ten years ago) this part of my marketing campaign consisted of sending out a monthly newsletter. Done in a simple format, the newsletter was a single page and the graphics consisted of a piece of clip art or two. The cost of sending a newsletter with photos of our actual gift baskets was far too expensive for our young company so we settled for black and white clip art of something related to whatever we were talking about in the newsletter.

Once the newsletter was completed I would take it to the copy center, have it copied on colored paper and folded. We handled the mailing list ourselves until the client list got too large to easily manage in house, then we hired a mailing service.

You would think that using a computer and e-mail would be much easier and more efficient than hand mailing a couple of thousand newsletter. Not so. It all has to do with choices. When we were using black and white clip art, our choices were limited. With e-mail we have full color options and can use photo images. We can now use actual photos of our gift baskets and the web is full of beautiful images that we use to illustrate and add to the topic of the newsletter. I love www.iStockphoto.com but there are several good sites where you can purchase great images very reasonably and not have to deal with copyright issues. The problem is that there are so many great images you can spend hours searching for the "perfect" one.

I fact check as much as possible and depending on the content of the message, this can take some time. I also include a quote that pertains to the message so I need to do a search for an appropriate one. Reading quotes can be fun so this part of the project can take even more time.

Before you know it, hours have flown by but I think it is well worth it.

If you'd like to be added to our e-mail list and receive our fun and informative monthly e-mail including discounts and other web only offers, just go to our website at www.laurelmtbasket.com and sign up right on the home page. It's getting late, got to get back to work. Hey, thanks for your time!

When Do You Get Your Great Ideas?

2008-08-29T05:46:00.000-07:00

Having a difficult time finding a solution to a problem or making a decision? Try following the age old advice and "sleep on it". Okay, so there's no scientific evidence to prove that "sleeping on it" will help solve a problem or make the right decision, but it works for me.

Anyone who owns their own business will tell you they never stop looking for solutions to problems or making decisions about something or other. I've spent many sleepless nights trying to solve some problem that had come up during the day. On other nights, especially just before a holiday when I need to come up with several new gift basket designs for Valentines Day or Easter or Christmas, I would fall asleep thinking about creating these custom designs. Often on those nights, I'd wake up and a design idea would be crystal clear. I'd get all excited about starting the project the next day and fall back to sleep. The problem was that when I woke up the next morning, I'd remember that I'd had a great idea, but couldn't remember what it was.

Now, I keep a note pad and pen on my night stand and jot down a word or two to trigger my memory. This method works great although, because I write my messages in the dark, trying to read them the next morning can be a challenge.

I also get ideas for new gift basket designs while I'm vacuuming. I think the repetitive motion and the monotonous sound of the vacuum helps dull my conscious mind and allows my creative subconscious to work. I can achieve this same kind of zoning out during my step aerobic class or while walking the dogs. More than once I've left my aerobic class, written a cryptic note on a piece of paper towel, tucked it into my sock and jumped right back into the routine. I've been working out with Sue for about 14 years now, so she's gotten used to this behavior. My dogs love walking in the woods near our home, so they're happy to help me walk and think.

So, I'll continue taking step aerobic classes, walking the dogs, and "sleeping on it", in order to keep my creative mind open for new gift basket design ideas. Check out some of my best ideas at http://www.laurelmtbasket.com/.

Back To School

2008-07-31T08:48:00.000-07:00

It's back to school time. We live in an area where there are dozens of colleges and universities, including Smith College, one of the oldest and most prestigious women's colleges in the country.

I grew up in the town where Sophia Smith, the founder, lived and I attended another school she founded, Smith Academy (photo is of the original Smith Academy building). Although I had the opportunity to attend Smith College, I didn't want to go to college close to home so I went all the way up to New Hampshire and attended Franklin Pierce College instead.

Sophia Smith was the daughter of a farmer. She was the last of her immediately family, and upon her death at age 65, her inheritance was close to $400,000, a huge sum for 1870. She took the responsibility of her position very seriously and consulted with her pastor and advisers.

Sophia was very interested in education and education for women in particular. By the time she was 40, she was deaf and considered establishing a deaf-mute institution in Hatfield. However, when the Clarke School for the Deaf opened in Northampton in 1868 she put all of her energy into planning for a college for women.

She died in 1870 and Smith College admitted its first students, fourteen women, in 1875. Today, Smith has an endowment of approximately $800 million and the student body has grown to approximately 2,500 students per year.

Quite an accomplishment for the daughter of a farmer.

If you have a student attending Smith College, Mt. Holyoke, Hampshire or any of the other fine area schools, let me know. My company, Laurel Mountain Basket Company, has a line of gifts especially designed for students.

Marie

Storm Warning

2008-07-21T08:30:00.001-07:00

Only last week a woman came into my studio to ask if I had a gift basket with an emergency kit theme. I showed her one I had designed for one of my realtor clients that contains, among other things, a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit. She was thinking more along the lines of a gift basket with items a person would need if they were in a bad storm or flood. That may seem like an odd request, but it happens. Ask anyone from New Orleans or Florida.

Or Whately, MA, my home town. On Saturday evening, Whately was hit by a Microburst. I'm sure there is a difference between a Tornado and a Microburst, but I don't think my neighbors with the crushed cars or houses really care.

I was getting ready to go to a friends' house for a Girls' Night Out party. It was raining, hard, and there was lots of thunder and lightening and one point, the power went out. The storm only lasted about 20 minutes then the sky cleared, and the sun was shining brightly, so I left to drive to my friend's house. Twice, within a half mile from my house, I had to drive around large branches that had fallen and were blocking part of the road. I didn't think much about the situation until I came upon a tree that had fallen across the entire road. More importantly, it had taken the power lines down with it. I guessed I had found the cause of our power outage.

But again, I didn't put any real significance to what I was seeing. I turned the car around and headed for one of the other roads that would take me out of town. I didn't get far. As soon as I turned onto the second road. I saw another large tree had fallen across the road, and farther up the road, three or four more very large trees had either been uprooted or had split.

There went Girls' Night Out! I returned home and told my husband about what I had seen. He went out to see if he could help with clearing some of the roads. One thing about small New England towns, almost everyone has a chain saw. Within a couple of hours, most of the roads were passable.

The next day, I decided to take the dogs and spend some time at the studio where we would have air conditioning, a microwave, and computer access. When I got home that afternoon, we took a drive to see the damage and take photos. The damage from the storm was amazing! Houses, cars, boats, garages, barns, fences, were crushed and there had to be hundreds of beautiful old trees down. Incredibly, no one was injured. Among all the devastation, the atmosphere was actually kind of festive. It seemed that everybody was outside. Probably because there was no power for the tv or computer! When I'd stop to take photos, I'd get into conversations with the home owners or other people from the area who came to take photos and share their stories of the storm. Even the police officer stationed at a dangerous intersection told me how the road had been burned when the power lines fell. The horizontal line in the lower right corner of the photo above is burned asphalt.

This storm taught me a few things. My dogs hate storms, they shake and hide under the bed. I call them my "early warning system". Well, from now on, I am going to take their "warnings" a little more seriously. I am also going to continue to make sure we are prepared. Lots of batteries, gallons of drinking water, a non-electric can opener and I'm going to buy a camp lamp that runs on a 9 volt battery. Reading by flashlight is not as fun as it once was.

The Many Colors of Green

2008-07-11T09:34:00.000-07:00

If you found this blog posting because you are interest in the growing trend towards environmental responsibility, sorry. It's not that I don't believe in conserving energy and working with natural materials. I do.

When we built our house over twenty years ago, we incorporated many of what now is being called "green" concepts into the construction.
At work as well as at home we recycle everything, paper, glass, plastic, and we compost. We use recycled and biodegradable office and cleaning supplies.

At Laurel Mountain Gift Baskets we purchase many of the items we use in our gift baskets from local vendors which means we use less fuel in transport, as well as support our local community. We use paper rather than floral foam or Styrofoam as a base in our gift baskets because paper is biodegradable and we use raffia or paper ribbon in many of our bows for the same reason.

But no, when I refer to the many colors of green in this blog, I really am talking about the color. Color is so important to good gift basket design. A beautifully crafted gift basket just isn't finished until it is topped with a fanciful bow using several contrasting colors or several shades from the same color family. For Spring and Summer the greens come in soft sea foam, apple and hot lime, for Fall and Winter there's new moss, hunter, and emerald and celadon is a perfect year round green. Even the names are beautiful!

When blue and green are used together, they echo nature and the effect is very calming. When I want to be wild and make a bold statement, deep purple and hot lime green still works for me!

Green is the color of life and renewal. It signifies growth and health as well as balance and harmony. In Feng Shui, it is important to use several different shades of green in order to maximize the energy effort.

Gardeners get it when they plant lots of natural greens among the colorful flowers to keep everything in balance. So the next time you hear someone talking about going green, shut your eyes and imagine a burst of energizing color! But don't forget to shut off your computer and the lights when you leave the room. That's important too.

Home Town 4th of July

2008-07-07T05:12:00.000-07:00

I live in a small New England town. Our current police station consists of a couple of rooms in the basement of what used to be a school house. Luckily, we have a great group of officers, little serious crime and the State Police barracks only a few miles up the road. Still, the town needed a new facility and one was appropriated. Unfortunately, there was little money left over to furnish and supply the space.
The problem was solved in true small town fashion... have a bake sale... well, actually the bake sale was a small part of the event that took place in Whately, MA on the Sunday after the 4th of July. A small group of town folk conceived an idea for a fund raiser. A triathlon. The First Annual Whately Police Triathlon. My company Laurel Mountain Gift Basket Company was proud to be a sponsor and my husband and I volunteered to help work the event. It was a blast!
I try to stay in shape. I work out three of four times a week, but I could never do what these 120 plus individuals did. Start out by swimming 1/2 mile, then run or walk the bike to the starting point to ride for 14 miles, up and down several hills, then run or walk the bike from the end of the bike course to the starting point to change shoes and run for three miles! I got tired just watching!
The participants were amazing but what was really amazing was that a group of people came together to accomplish so much. Two women, got an idea and rallied hundreds to their cause. The participants who registered and paid an entry fee. The volunteers who woke at dawn in order to be at the town beach at 5:45 a.m. to help get the courses and participants ready. I overheard more than one volunteer laugh about how little they slept the night before, afraid they would sleep thru the alarm. Most of the volunteers had never even seen a triathlon before that Sunday, never mind participate in one, yet the event went without a hitch.
As in any USAT sanctioned event, safety is the number one priority. Which made another group of individuals that needed to be recruited. The town ambulance with emergency personnel was standing by, the regional dive team was on site, and those police officers not competing were stationed along the route to insure the safety of the bikers and runners. Again, it was the efforts of the organizers and volunteers that brought this all together.
I am so proud of the people in my small town. I can't think of a better way to celebrate the 4th of July than working with my neighbors to make my little corner of the world a better place to live. See you all again next 4th of July for the Second Annual Whately Police Triathlon.
Marie

Super Heros

2008-06-21T08:29:00.000-07:00

Become a Super Hero!

A headline in the local paper caught my attention, it said " At Area Shelters, Discarded Pets a Sign of the Times". At Laurel Mountain Basket Company, we are pet friendly. Proceeds from our Cat Napping cat nip pillows and Spoiled Rotten Dog Gift Baskets benefit local rescue services. I've decided that until the end of this year, we will donate 10% from the sale of any of our pet products to area shelters. Check out our selection gifts for pets and the people who love and become a Super Hero!

From This Day Forward

2008-06-18T08:30:00.001-07:00

Planning a wedding? It may be only a single wedding, but there are basically three separate events to plan for. The ceremony, the reception and the honeymoon.

Today, I want to talk about the reception. This is probably the most overwhelming of the three because there are so many details involved. Where to have it, who to invite, and how much you are willing to spend are at the top of the list.

Where to have it is really contingent on who will attend and how much your are willing to spend. You will want a venue that is large enough to accommodate your guests comfortably, but not so large that it feels empty. The type of wedding (outdoors and casual or up town and chic) and what a particular venue includes in the price will also be considered in your choice. A venue that caters to events may include items like the cake and other amenities in the cost where as another venue choice may mean you will need to provide everything from decorations to linens to hiring a clean up crew. Once you have decided on where you will have your reception, you will want to reserve your date and time. This is especially important if the venue is very popular and/or it is a very busy season.

When considering who to invite, remember that, although it is the bride's day, the comfort and conveniences of the guests should be a major consideration. Some guest may be coming from out of town and they may need overnight accommodations. If the reception is being held in the banquet facility of a hotel, often times rooms can be reserved right on the premises. Otherwise, a block of rooms can be reserved at a nearby hotel. A really nice touch is to have a gift basket of treats placed in each room for your guest to enjoy.

How much will it cost? Know exactly what you are willing to spend before starting to plan the wedding. Make a budget and stick to it! Start by making a list of what you need and affix a price to each item. By having an idea of what you want and how much you are willing to spend, the planning process will go much more smoothly.

The New View

2008-06-14T05:36:00.000-07:00

The economy is impacting every business in some way or another. Many of my clients have had to cut back on gift giving even though they know that recognizing others is an important part of doing business. We have been looking for ways to allow them to continue giving high quality gifts while keeping within their newly revised budgets. Laurel Mountain Basket Company is proud to announce that we have found the solution!

We have partnered with one of our favorite suppliers and are now able to offer our clients a line of private label, locally produced, gourmet food items. Our clients can choose from a wonderful variety of New England style treats, like Cranberry, White Chocolate Brownie Mix, which is sooooo yummy, Clambake Spices, a down east seasoning for chowders and sea food that also makes a kickin' dip and other radically fun foods. Beautifully packaged and labelled with the company logo or special greeting, these unique gifts make great favors for corporate events, conferences or special promotion!

We can combine a package of cranberry flapjack or maple scone mix with a mini jug of pure Massachusetts maple syrup, add the company logo and create a one of a kind gift that makes a great impression.

Marie

That's a Wrap!

2007-09-15T10:27:00.000-07:00

This blog has taken on a life of its own. It has gone in a direction entirely different from the one I intended for it to go when I started. I had wanted to talk about decorating and creative ways to make our lives more interesting and fun.

I mentioned early on that I own a gift basket service located in Easthampton Massachusetts called Laurel Mountain Basket Company and that I have a website at http://www.laurelmtbasket.com/. I had intended to talk about some of the ideas I had and some tricks I learned.

The first thing I wanted to share was how creative packaging can make a really simple gift really special. I use a locally made Bar-b-que sauce in many of my designs. It's fast becoming a local favorite and is sold in specialty food stores in the area. By wrapping the jar in a checked cloth napkin, using a piece of jute to tie it off, and sliding a Bar-b-que brush under the jute tie, we've turned a simple jar of Bar-b-que sauce into something really special that you'll be happy to give to a friend!

There are hundreds of creative ways to transform simple items into treasures.

I'm always interested in unique ways to wrap hard to wrap items. If you have some fun suggestions, let me know.

That's a wrap!

Marie

I Hate To Cook

2007-06-13T06:25:00.000-07:00

I never really liked to cook and since my husband thought his mother was a fantastic cook, I didn't even try to improve my culinary skills after we got married. I'm not foolish enough to compete with a legend. Although the kitchen and I are not on intimate terms, I do dabble upon occasion and I love to make home baked gifts for my friends.

Some of the holidays that I celebrate with family and friends are Chocolate Covered Cherry Day in January, International Pancake Day in February, Jelly Bean Day in April, and of course Fudge Day, June 16th.

In honor of Fudge Day, I am going to share one of my favorite recipes, "Festive Fudge". Here goes: 3 cups (8 oz) of semi sweet chocolate chips, 1 (14 oz) can of sweetened condensed milk (NOT evaporated milk), dash of salt, 1/2 to 1 cup of chopped nuts (optional), 1 and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract.

In a heavy saucepan, over low heat, melt the chocolate chips with the sweetened condensed milk and salt. I prefer to melt the chocolate and milk in the microwave. Be sure to use a microwavable container not a metal saucepan!

When the mixture is melted remove from the stove or microwave. Stir in vanilla and nuts if you are using nuts. Spread this mixture evenly into a wax paper lined 8 or 9 inch square pan and chill for 2 hours or until firm.

Turn on to a cutting board, peel off the paper and cut fudge into pieces. Store in refrigerator.

Happy Fudge Day....Share a batch of homemade fudge with someone you care about!

Marie

Every Day is a Holiday!

2007-06-12T06:15:00.000-07:00

In the gift basket business, we help people celebrate special occasions every day. Today we get to celebrate a special occasion in our own household. It's my husband's birthday. It's also the day in 1839 when baseball was born which is very appropriate since Vic is an avid baseball fan. Living in Massachusetts, he favors the Red Sox most of the time, but has enough enthusiasm for the game to spread around, especially during the playoffs and the World Series.

June 12th is also Magic Day, Machine Day and Crowded Nest Awareness Day. Being so involved with birthdays and baseball, we don't celebrate these other events too much.

I love holidays! I was born on Thanksgiving Day and for years I thought everyone got the day off from work and had a big party because it was my birthday. It's still one of my favorites. That's probably because we get to enjoy my sister's hospitality each year and I don't have to do any of the cooking. Bringing a fresh baked pie from one of the local farm shops and a bottle of wine is the extent of my contribution.

Sunday is Father's Day. I hope Vic is not expecting too much this year since the dogs and I have not had a chance to shop yet. The old saying about the shoemakers children not having shoes also applies to gift shop owners and their families not receiving gifts!

Have a happy June 12th! Celebrate your life!

Marie

Greetings From Laurel Mountain

2007-06-11T07:11:00.000-07:00

Greetings from Massachusetts! My name is Marie. I live with my husband Vic and our two rescued dogs, Dana (left) and Fox (right) on a very large hill situated in a very small town in Western Massachusetts.

We own and operate Laurel Mountain Basket Company a full service gift basket company with a retail site in Easthampton and on line at http://www.laurelmtbasket.com/.

The company newsletter, in which I write about all kinds of irrelevant things, is called The View From Laurel Mountain. I wanted to keep my life simple so I gave my blog the same name.

Keeping life simple is getting more difficult every day. I am a very low tech person trying to get along in a very high tech world. Last week I changed the telephone service provider at the business and today I spent a good hour trying to reprogram my speed dial numbers. For someone who still remembers party lines, reprogramming a telephone is a challenge! My 15 year old nephew can't believe I am so inept.

I love living in the country. We have a little red fox (not the one pictured above) that has set up housekeeping down the hill, humming birds visit our feeder every evening, and a really insane Cardinal pecks at our family room window while we watch television. I wish I knew what she wants. She probably doesn't like my choice of programming.

Time to put on another hat and get back to work.

Thanks for visiting. See you again soon.

Marie