The Day After Christmas!

Yes -- if you live in the midwest, you get weather. Four true seasons a year and usually, a little bit of the best and the worst that each season brings. But this year, we are really getting hit! We started with rain on Tuesday, changing to sleet overnight and then the snow started Christmas Eve! Just as they predicted, it came fast and furious -- almost all the churches canceled both Christmas Eve and Day services -- and family and friends stayed snuggled inside. And then more snow and winds! Drifts everywhere -- those without four wheel drive we're just flat out stuck. Not that there was anywhere to go -- most everything is closed. It's still snowing today (Saturday) and we may get another inch or so. The city is trying to hall away the snow, but there's no where left to dump it.


My yard is covered-- just about two feet deep in the backyard as the patio furniture continues to disappear. My juniper bushes (10 feet high all along the back of my yard) have drifts up and over them. Special thanks to my lawn guy, who dug out my driveway yesterday with a big snow plow -- I never would have been able to get back in my garage without you! PS -- Don't forget to come do the sidewalk and steps in front, which are drifted four foot high!

Merry White Christmas!

Microwave Peanut Brittle

For years when I was growing up, we would take out the candy thermometer at Christmas time and begin the laborious process of making peanut brittle over the stove. Half the time it would turn out perfectly -- the other half -- not so good! As an adult, I just couldn't bring myself to make it any more -- that is, until my mother gave me a recipe for the microwave.

Now I make it every year and it has become such a Holiday classic, that my vendors just expct a box from me every year! Here's the recipe and a couple tips for making it just right!

Mix one cup sugar and 1/2 cup light corn syrup together in a large Pyrex measuring cup with handle. Microwave for 4 minutes on high.

Add 1 cup raw spanish peanuts -- microwave on high for 4 more minues.

Grease cookie sheet w/ unsalted butter.

Stir in 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (pure) and 1 tablespoon unsalted butter. Microwave for 2 1/2 minutes on high.

Carefully take out of microwave. Stir in one teaspoon baking soda -- let rise and spoon onto pan.
Let cool completely before breaking into pieces.

Hints: Sometimes my microwave seems hotter than others. To make sure the mixture doesn't "burn", I watch the last 2 1/2 minutes carefully to make sure my peanuts aren't turning to brown. Sometimes I only need to do the last cycle for 2 minutes 15-20 seconds.

If you like a lot of air in your peanut brittle, add more baking soda. I always use a generous teaspoon.

Although I like to put my pan outside to cool, don't do it if its snowing or there's a lot of moisture in the air -- it maks the top of the peanut brittle sticky.

Let me know how it turns out! Happy Holidays!

We're Going to Have a White Christmas!

Yes -- we had a blizzard -- they can't decide whether its worse or better than 2007 -- but it definitely pales in comparison to 1996, when we lost power for anywhere from a day to 10 days. A great snowfall is always beautiful and I thought I'd share these pics with all of you who only get to experience warmer climates. We're back at work -- even made it in the day of. After all, it is the Holiday season and we have to keep helping Santa deliver all his presents!

Kathy's Picks For the Holiday!

Kathy picked her 3 favorites the fastest! Maybe they are on her list?!
Pick #1 is: A charming santa plate! It's a bright shiny piece that kids will love and would make a great Christmas keepsake!

Pick #2: Nest candles....not just Kathy's favorite, but a favorite of many of our customers too. They are so fragrant and wonderful. There has to be someone on your list that would love a beautiful and sweet smelling candle, so check it twice!

Pick #3: 4 piece metallic travel set. The set includes: key chain, passport cover, credit card holder and a luggage tag. Each are priced separately, but together they make a stylish, practical gift for the traveler on your list!

My Friend Amy!!!

My good friend Amy Moglia is the designer and owner of a nationally (and now internationally) distributed line of stationary and related gifts known as Bear Hug Designs! She is extremely creative -- especially her children's line of cards and invitations. We stock all of her items at our store and feature some on our website and her newest lucite memo pads are the best girlfriend gift! I've featured the dog memo pad -- which is shown with a cute pink ribbon imprinted with dog paws and says "At least my dog listens to me" at the bottom.

And of course, if you're a Peggy Karr fan like half of America, she has designed several plates exclusively for her distribution -- check them out on her website. (Click the link on the right side of my website to go to Amy's where you can purchase any of these items).

And if that wasn't enough, Amy has "Amy's Favorites" on her website -- which include items she's found while at market in New York and Atlanta that she buys and sells to her customers on her website. My favorite are her cute slippers -- I bought my mother a pair of pink pigs because she collects anything and everything "Pig" -- they are only $21. We love you Amy!

Kieran's Picks!

I love sparkle, so my first pick was easy! I love the sequined box and frame. I could imagine the box under a Christmas tree, with a surprise trinket inside! So if you want a really special ring box, this is perfect!

Pick #2 is: The crown tea light holder. It's a lot of fanciness for not a lot of money! So cute all year, not just for the holiday.

Pick #3: Needlepoint pillow with birds. I appreciate the work, love the colors and treasure the timelessness of needlepoint.....

Mary Jo's Favorite Holiday Picks.....

Mary Jo took little longer to decide on her favorite picks. Too many "darling" things to limit it to just three! In the end, she decided on items that she has either purchased for gifts, or kept for herself.

Pick #1 is: Silver heart ornaments. They shimmer and twinkle on the Christmas tree, and are simply beautiful. They make a lovely decorative addition to a wrapped package as well!

Pick #2 is: Cotton huck wine towels. Those are a favorite of Mary Jo's to give as a hostess gift or stocking stuffer. They have witty little sayings or Italian proverbs along with various screen printed designs.

Pick #3 is: Silver or gold mesh Christmas trees. A stunning centerpiece for a holiday table. Don't think that one alone is enough, oh no, they looked better in multiples!

Happy Holidays!!

We are all so excited for the holiday season here at The Linen Gallery. With so many new holiday items, it's hard to choose a favorite! We've all managed to find a few and we're eager to share those choices with everyone. Joan has a wonderful eye and great taste, so finding three favorites was a cinch for her! Here are Joan's three favorite gifts to give a friend or loved one this holiday season...
Pick #1 is: A classic, ornate picture frame-truly a lovely gift. Who wouldn't love a beautiful picture frame to hold a treasured picture?

Pick #2 is: Sitting and standing reindeer-another lovely gift or beautiful center piece for a family dinner gathering. The reindeer are beautiful, stylized, silver leaf sculptures.

Pick #3 is: A very practical, but zippy little item that would make a perfect stocking stuffer for anyone one on your list that loves organization! It's a Lucite Mini Memo from Bear Hug Designs. They are bright little memos that would bring a lot of cheer to any list-maker, secretary, or college student. We have many fab items that would bring cheer to list of people this season! Be sure to stop in to see our many holiday things!