Monday, December 29, 2008

A Cup Of Glee - Weekly Newsletter - When a Tea Cup is not a Tea Cup

Welcome to the Blog for Fancy That!
We proudly call our blog “A Cup of Glee.”

This week I am finishing this wonderful year with just two pictures for you. Thank you for stopping by. Enjoy!

The pictures following are two uses of tea cups that are fun, and another way of thinking about how to use a tea cup. After all, when you have over 300 vintage cups and saucers (like Fancy That! has, and always acquiring more), you find many MANY ways to use a tea cup and saucer. Feel free to share other ideas with us here.




Keep in mind that any and every use is acceptable!

Until my next post, please remember:
Suggestions tolerated, compliments always welcomed. Tell your friends, and visit often.

acupofglee.blogspot.com

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

YUM! Cherry Ice Box Cookies!

Whilst we're on the subject of cookies, I thought I'd bring up another fave: the Cherry Ice Box cookie from Collin Street Bakery in Texas. People Magazine raved about their fruit cake, but in my opinion, the real cheers go to these tastey pink treats. In fact, the tin I ordered for a Christmas gift didn't last one day in my house, and I had to make another order! Thank goodness they ship fast, and it arrived yesterday, in time for the Holiday!

Now I know what you're thinking... you think I only like these cookies because they're pink. Well, I guess that could be ONE reason :) I also think the name "Cherry Ice Box" is very charming. So, I suppose those are the two main things that captured my initial interest, but it is their scrumptious-ness that keeps me re-ordering :) (they're also available in minis). If you decide to order some, let us know what you think!

Until my next post, please remember:
Suggestions tolerated, compliments always welcomed. Tell your friends, and visit often.
SarahE for
acupofglee.blogspot.com

Monday, December 22, 2008

A Cup of Glee - Weekly Newsletter - pfeffernusse cookies


Welcome to the Blog for Fancy That!

We proudly call our blog “A Cup of Glee.”

This week's post, just in time for the winter holidays, is a post on a cookie that continues to delight after centuries...the PFEFFERNUSSE!


Thank you for stopping by. Enjoy!


The cookie's name, pfeffernusse, is taken from German meaning "pepper nuts." The original cookie had black pepper in the recipe, but did not allow the cookie to get "hot" from the pepper. So many variations exist today, that you can search for hours and hours looking for the perfect one. Let me help a little and start you here for a great recipe!


If you aren't certain what the cookie looks like, the next picture will remove all doubt!

You can just taste the powdered sugar from this photo, and more, the anice, the pepper, and the touch of ginger.


Once you have tasted these fine holiday cookies, you will make the a tradition year after year, and if you don't care to cook them as so many of our friends do (or don't....one friend even joked that the only reason she has a kitchen is because it came with the house!), the you could click on the picture below to start your search for those pre-baked cookies that can be delivered to your door!

So there you have it! Pfeffernusse and you! Or, pfeffernusee and your guests! We will return to our weekly newsletter format including Table Talk, The Butler and Wedding Bells after the first of the year. Until then, stop by often, and be sure to read the older posts.

Until my next post, please remember:
Suggestions tolerated, compliments always welcomed. Tell your friends, and visit often. acupofglee.blogspot.com

Monday, December 15, 2008

A Cup Of Glee - Weekly Newsletter - Calyx and Corolla

Welcome to the Blog for Fancy That!
We proudly call our blog “A Cup of Glee.”
Thank you for stopping by. Enjoy!


This week, we are highlighting a special vendor that we LOVE:
Calyx and Corolla

(see our list of other fave vendors here)


What you are about to see are some of the most clever floral arrangements
that you may ever come by. Who wouldn't want to receive a delivery like this?


They offer arrangements in hat boxes, "water treasures" and much more. Enjoy the pictures, and please feel free to stop by Calyx and Corolla's web site. If you need that special arrangement for your holiday party centerpiece, you still have time to order!



Their unique vases make Calyx and Corolla
our pick of the Year for Mail Order Florist!


Until my next post, please remember:
Suggestions tolerated, compliments always welcomed. Tell your friends, and visit often.
acupofglee.blogspot.com

Monday, December 8, 2008

A Cup Of Glee - Weekly Newsletter - Etiquette by Pooh


Welcome to the Blog for Fancy That!
We proudly call our blog “A Cup of Glee.”

This week’s Newsletter is all about the “Thank You” note and Pooh’s Etiquette. Thank you for stopping by. Enjoy!

From “Pooh’s Little Etiquette Book”:

(You can buy the book by clicking on this link.)

Be sure to thank your host politely before you leave, and write a Thank You Note soon after. This is not only good etiquette but a good way to let your friend know that you arrived home safely.”
Of course in today's world, we do not send a "Thank You" to let our friends know we made it home, but an email or telephone call may do nicely!

Table Talk
(Manners and TableTop Tips)
From “Pooh’s Little Etiquette Book”:

Page 24 on Table Manners,

When it is time to eat, be careful when you sit down. What is a Resting Place to you, may be Lunch to someone else.”

If you go on a picnic with your friend, be sure to take a blanket to sit upon, and that way, you will be able to be lighted on the cloth, and watch the clouds roll by, ignoring the ants and other creatures below. Of course in the book, Rabbit and others are talking about the grass that you may be sitting upon, which could be a meal for some of Pooh's Friends. Enjoy your picnic!


The Butler
(Host and Hostess tips and Helpful Hints for planning your event)

This is all out the ending…the thank you. When planning and event, you simply cannot forget about the “Thank You” notes. If you are the invitee, you most certainly will want to think about the evening when writing your thank you.

The perfect format, with six rules for how to craft a well done “Thank You” not is here from the Morning News.

If you event is a shower or some soiree where you will be given a gift, plan your Thank You to match closely to your invitations. It is a nice touch when your guests equate the wonderful event with your Thank You Note.

Tiny Prints is a great resource when you are starting out. Once you hit their site, and see such unique prints like this picture,


You will be planning an event AROUND the use of a thank you, instead of the other way around.
Again, in The Morning News are some great ideas for writing that special Thank You.

As is quoted in the “Pooh’s Little Etiquette Book

In the Hundred Acre Wood and elsewhere, those who know how to write a proper letter are much respected and in great demand.”

Please do take the moment and impress your dear friend, and Pooh, too!

Wedding Bells
Tips for planning your Wedding)

From OurMarriage.com is a reminder of the most important item to remember: never, never, never (have I emphasized that enough?) never send a pre-printed thank you note after your wedding. Of course you can have your name, or other items "pre-printed", but you do not want the pre-printing to say "thank you for your lovely gift" that you do not mention the gift, or sign your name. A hand written note thanking your guest for the lovely Tiffany Box, or the Waterford Crystal goblet is a perfect touch. By keeping the "Thank You" note personal with the touch of hand writing, you are taking a moment and sending that perfect thank you note!

Why not try one of our favs of all time: Artistic Addressing!

Their tag line says it all: “Pushing the ‘Envy’ lope”.


Remember to leave enough time for Artistic Addressing to get your proofs to you and then to print the stock.

And enjoy!

Until our next post, please remember:
Suggestions tolerated, compliments always welcomed. Tell your friends, and visit often.
acupofglee.blogspot.com

Monday, December 1, 2008

A Cup Of Glee - Weekly Newsletter - Cranberries and Cookies!



Welcome to the Blog for Fancy That!
We proudly call our blog “A Cup of Glee.”


This week, it is all about holiday festivities with cranberries and cookies!


Thank you for stopping by. Enjoy!


Table Talk
(Manners and TableTop Tips)
Cranberries!

It is an acquired taste…the love for the pungent and yet, when cooked into a jelly, sweet-tart taste of the bog berry from New England. The better way to use cranberries is not to eat them at all! Use them as the colorful main ingredient of your centerpiece.

Try taking several small vases, fill them with cranberries, a little cold water so they stay fresh, then fill the vases with the flowers of your choice. Remember to keep the centerpiece low enough so your guests can talk to one another across the table.

Use the cranberries to decorate any clear glass container. The cranberries are festive in color, and add a wonderful conversation starter to any event.


The Butler

(Host and Hostess tips and Helpful Hints for planning your event)

Cookie Party!

The rules are simple. Invite as many guests as you wish, but tell them the rules up-front: bring a dozen cookies and leave with a dozen cookies.

Your guests will adore the table set with all the cookies that your guests bring. After all, who doesn’t have that favorite recipe of their Nana, that they are just so anxious to try – or anxious to give to your mate who actually knows where the kitchen IS in the house! (My favorite line is that “I have a kitchen only because it came with the house.”)

At the end of the night, hand your guests a cellophane bag (clear is wonderful so they can actually SEE the cookies) or a brown bag, and they have to go around the tables and take a dozen cookies. Preferably they take one of each of their fav cookies.

Oh, and remind the guests that there will be cookie eating going on as well, so maybe bring TWO dozen. One dozen for the table and one dozen to eat! Enjoy your cookie party and tell us how it went! We love to hear from you.

Enjoy!


Until my next post, please remember:
Suggestions tolerated, compliments always welcomed. Tell your friends, and visit often.
acupofglee.blogspot.com