More Snow On The Way???

This past weekend, a friend and I went on a buying trip to PA! Yup, despite all the snow warnings, we still said "Road Trip!!" Here's a few pics of what we woke up to on Saturday in Norristown, PA. Thank goodness Bruce had packed my snow shovel, and my friend Dawnne brought her tall boots! This is Dawnne shoveling us out of our parking spot!

We had fun and ordered lots of cool, country stuff which will be arriving all month long.

I brought home alot of framed prints, so come on over after Wednesdays storm and take a gander! We are having a storm tomorrow, so the shop may be closed. If you want to venture out, please call us first to make sure we are open, so you don't waste a trip.

Today, a cute man (I say cute, not because of his looks, but because of his actions) visited us, and he was on a mission. He opened the door, and headed straight for the boutique, and was looking for an item his wife had spied over the weekend. I thought that was so cute and thoughtful.

I am not going to tell you what he purchased just yet, because she may read our blog, and I don't want to spoil the surprise. But I will tell you that we are selling them quickly!

When guys come into B &H and buy something special, I always think to myself, 'It must be so nice to have a husband like that who pays attention when you are shopping together.'

I guess I am doing pretty good as well, at least mine packed a shovel for me! LOL

A Peek into My Decorating Style

Many of you know that we built a home this year, and recently moved in!
It is so exciting!
Here is a little corner that I recently decorated
and I am so pleased with it!
I love nature and crocks and 'live' things that look alive but aren't! LOL
I do NOT have a green thumb!

Every now and again, I will take some pics
and show you what I am doing in my own home!

If anyone has photos of things they bought at Brown & Hopkins,
feel free to send the photos to me at

shopkeeper@brownandhopkins.com

and I will post them!

We all need a little inspiration!

Looking for Some Fine Furniture?

Look here!

Westmoreland Woodworks!

I will placing an order on Monday for several pieces,
however, if you are looking for something special,
be sure to check out their online catalog by clicking the link!

Maybe you got a new BIG television and need something nice to showcase it?

Or you'd like something new for your entry way that says "WOW"!

This is high quality, USA made furniture!
We have paint samples in the store if you'd like a closer look,
as well as a few of their pieces to show you the exceptional quality!
Prices are reasonable...just give us a call if you need a quote, sizes, or further information!
Delivery time is about 4 to 6 weeks.

Sweet Stuff!

You might remember seeing pics of my adorable great niece Clare....
she was our flower girl at our wedding in September.....

And now there are two more additions to our extended family!
Clare now has a little cousin, Juliette

AND

a new little sister, Quinn, both born last Spring!

My, how time flies.......first birthdays will be here before we can count to one!!

And speaking of sweet stuff,

a new batch of New Hampshire homemade fudge is headed our way!

Belgian Chocolate, Penuche, Chocolate Walnut and Maple Walnut will be here on Friday!

What is your favorite flavor????

Come on in for a sample!
Valentines Day is just around the corner!

Delicious Baking Error!

So last night I wanted to try making the baked apples
with the Cinnamon Roll Walnut Jam......BUT,
I left them in the oven too long and almost ended up with applesauce.
Oh, but it smelled too good to toss out!
What could I do?
I was opening cupboards, left and right, looking for something,
anything to pair my mistake with...and then it came to me!
I had a small piece of plain cheesecake leftover from the night before!
I topped that cheesecake with my
Apple Cinnamon Roll Walnut Compote
and away to the couch I went! YUMMO!

Try it!
All I did was line an 8" square baking pan with tin foil for easy clean up!
Fill with peeled and halved Granny Smith Apples (I used 2 apples).
I melted 1 Tbsp. of butter and drizzled it over the top.
Then I heated up 1/3 cup of the Cinnamon Roll Walnut Jam
and spooned it over the apples.
I baked them at 350 degrees for longer
than I should have (about 30 to 40 minutes or so), until they were very soft!

(Sorry, no photos, but it disappeared too quickly!)
It would have been great on ice cream, but my ice cream had frostbite....as it always does! Does anyone else have that problem? I always buy ice cream, and then I never end up eating it for 2 months, until one day when I have a craving for it, and it's no longer edible!

Cinnamon Roll Walnut Jam!

I love finding a great new product!

Cinnamon Roll Walnut Jam!

Served straight from the jar on crackers or toast
or heated up for a topping on ice cream,
cheesecake, pancakes, French toast.....the ideas are endless!

This stuff makes you say, "Yum!"

Here are a few more ideas!

Sweet Potato Dumpling Roll Ups
1 can Hungary Jack biscuits
2 or 3 sweet potatoes peeled (cut like French fries – 1 inch)
1 (11oz) jar cinnamon roll walnut jam
1 ½ cups water
2 cups sugar
1 cup butter
1 tsp vanilla
Melt butter in a 9x13 inch dish.
Pull each biscuit apart to make two round pieces.
Roll each biscuit piece out on floured surface
and place two sticks of sweet potato in biscuit
and ½ tsp walnut jam. Pinch biscuits in pan.
Boil sugar and water until sugar is dissolved.
Add vanilla and pour over sweet potato biscuits in pan.
Bake 350 degrees for 35-45 minutes or until biscuits are brown.
Remove from oven and cool 20 minutes to allow sauce to thicken.

Quick Cinnamon Crescent Rolls
Take ½ tbl jam and put in a dough crescent roll.
Roll and bake as package directs.
When they come out of the oven, shake in convection sugar.

More ideas.......
Melt jam over hot sweet potatoes coming out of oven, use as a cookie filler,
or core an apple and stuff with jam, dot with butter and bake.

A Sensitive Subject For Some.....

Oh where, oh where do I begin?????

I have no choice but to dive right in.......

We are carrying a new product at Brown & Hopkins called

Poo ~ Pourri!

What is that you ask?????

In a nutshell, it's a blend of Natural Essential Oils
that create a barrier to embarrassing bathroom odors.

Their tag line is,
"Spritz the bowl before you go ~ and no one else will ever know!!"!!!!

We have it in two scents,

Original Poo~Pourri and Nature's Call (organic),
and both smell alot better than "you know what"!!

This stuff works!

At this point, if you are asking,"Has Liz gone mad????",
my entire staff backed me on this one....because Poo~Pourri works!
Great for travel, new relationships (tee hee),
and for general use in your own bathroom at home!
Linda can't wait to offer it for use at the employee restroom at her "real job"!!

(Not Linda below...LOL)Available in 2 oz. (100 uses), and 4 0z. attractive spray bottles,
plus an inconspicuous travel size good for 10 uses!!!
So in the words of Barbara's daughter, Katie,
next time you need to "drop the kids off at the pool",
just spray the bowl before you go, and no one will ever know!!!

Be sure and read your next email from Brown & Hopkins...

there will be an offer you won't want to miss out on!

Got Granite?????????

I am back from my buying trip in the BIG city of Atlanta!
While I was there, I had to laugh, because there were school cancellations even before one snowflake fell! Actually, school was cancelled about a whole day and a half before I saw one snowflake! And then I realized, they do not know how to deal with the white stuff in Atlanta! Did you see the 30 car pile up on the news!?!

Total chaos!

Anyway, it was a successful buying trip!
I ordered LOTS of great things for gifts and home decorating!
Deliveries will be arriving on a daily basis!
And speaking of home decorating....

I am finally at the point where I can start decorating our new home!

Let the fun begin!

Let me know if anyone wants to take a peek at a home shoot when I am done!

Although I am still a long way from "home shoot" mode,

as I am still in the "cleaning" mode......

And being in cleaning mode, I just have to re-post
the portion below about the beeswax polish!!!
I love this stuff!!!

Now that your holiday decor has been put away,

it's a great time to pick up a can of this magic spray and polish away!

Below originally posted in May 2009

A customer came in today,
and bought 2 cans of the beeswax furniture polish....

And she said,
"If you want to sell a TON of this stuff, tell your customers how great it is on granite counter tops and stainless appliances! My friend, Denise from Glocester told me about it! She said she can't stop touching her countertops!
Her husband is starting to get jealous!"

So, I am telling you....

This stuff is
fantabulous on granite!!!!

No smudges, no fingerprints...

It's smoooooooth.......
It makes dull and dingy furniture and kitchen cabinets look new again!

Oh, and according to another customer who commented below,
equally fantabulous on black cook tops,
which I have, and can attest to!!

Bad Blogger!!!! Bad, Bad, BAD!!!!!

Oh my, has it been two whole weeks since my last blog post???

I am so sorry!

But I have lots of very good reasons!

For starters,
Christmas was crazy this year at Brown & Hopkins,
crazy in a good way!

Thank you to everyone who did some shopping with us this year!

You kept us hopping!

And then there were holiday parties to attend,
and for those of you that know me,
the only thing that keeps me from a good party is a big snow storm!

And we have certainly had our share of those this year, haven't we?

Here's a couple of snow shots taken over the weekend in Putnam, CT.

Bruce and I have been feverishly working on our new home,
and are days away from moving in! It is truly an exciting time in our life!
And that Honey Do list is a loooooooonnnnng one!! LOL

Thank goodness he is no couch spud!

Oh, and then there is inventory!

This year we will be CLOSED on

Tuesday, January 5th

and

Wednesday, January 6th

to do inventory, and fluff up the shop!
I will be going on a buying trip for the store soon,

and we will be receiving new merchandise daily!

Thanks for reading my ramblings, and

for keeping Brown & Hopkins on your list of your most favorite places~

We look forward to a fabulous 2010!

Blue Cheese????????

I know, I know, I know....

Some of you (with your nose all crinkled up)
are saying, "I don't like Blue cheese."

But, neither d0 I, but somehow this recipe makes it all okay.

Maybe it's the brandy, or the yummy Fig & Walnut Butter, whatever it is.....

we served them a few days ago at the store, and they were a big hit!!!

Here's the easy recipe that takes about 2 minutes to prepare and about 10 minutes to bake!

Fig and Walnut Butter with Blue Cheese Tartlets
Makes 30 cups (15 servings)

Ingredients
2 packages of fillo cups (Athens or The Fillo Factory brand)
5 oz. Blue cheese
1 jar Stonewall Kitchen Fig and Walnut Butter
4 Tablespoons Brandy or Cognac
1/3 cup chopped walnuts
Freshly snipped chives for garnish

Directions
Preheat oven to 350°.
Mix Stonewall Kitchen Fig and Walnut Butter with the Brandy or Cognac.
Arrange the fillo cups on a lined baking sheet.
Place a small square of cheese snugly in the bottom of each cup.
Top with approximately 1 teaspoon of Butter mixture.
Sprinkle with chopped walnuts. Bake for 10 minutes, or until lightly browned.
Allow to cool 10 minutes before serving.

Place on an attractive serving platter and garnish with chopped chives.

People will be amazed!
Come on into the store and we'll help you look like a gourmet chef!
We have so many ideas for holiday entertaining!!!
Stonewall Kitchen specialties make wonderful gifts!

Grungy Battery Operated Tapers are BACK!!

It never fails, no matter how many we order of these,
we always sell out before we realize it!
And then we have to wait for them to come back in again!

Well, they are back, but we don't know
for how long ~ Our guess is that they won't last
the weekend, so if you want any,
hurry, hurry, hurry, and skidaddle on over to Brown & Hopkins!!!

Shown above are cinnamon, buttermilk, mustard and burgundy.....

WE ONLY have the cinnamon and the buttermilk.

They are $6.95 each and come with two AA batteries.

The life of the bulb (not replaceable) is about 700 hours.
These candle fit in standard candle holders,
but when in doubt,
feel free to bring in your candle holders to try them out!

Their little flickering glow is perfect to
light a nook where electric power is unavailable,
or where you don't want to see ugly wires hanging around.

Also, perfect on the dining room table!!

Dip Tip! White Bean & Artichoke!

Here's a great dip for the holiday parties you have been invited to!

White Bean & Artichoke Dip
1 Jar Stonewall Kitchen White Bean Dip
1- 14-ounce can of artichoke hearts, drained and coarse chopped
1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsp. Parmesan cheese, grated
1 Tbsp. parsley, chopped

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Combine the Stonewall Kitchen White Bean Dip,
artichoke hearts and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese.
Mix well and place in a 2-cup (16 ounce) shallow baking dish.
Sprinkle 2 Tbsp. Parmesan cheese over the top.
Bake for 20 minutes until hot and bubbly.
Garnish with chopped parsley.
Serve with crackers or sliced French bread..

Delicious!

oh yeah.....

And

EASY!

FUN! Earrings for Your BEADS!!!!

Sterling silver earrings!
Just $14.95 per pair, plus the cost of the beads you choose!
Easy to change in just a second!!!

We received a new batch of beads in this week!
Stop in soon for the best selection!

Snow Day!

Well, at least a "Snow Morning"!

We woke up to a few inches of snow this morning,
and with school being cancelled, I decided to take the morning off!

Usually Bruce is just like a boy scout...prepared for anything!
But this storm took him by surprise, and he didn't have his plow hooked up yet, soooooooooo,

now that the town has so kindly plowed the road in front of our house, and the slosh from the road is strewn into our driveway, I would have to get all bundled up, and go out into that frigid weather, and shovel my way out of the frozen crust!
Bruce is at work now, so he would usually be the one doing this!
Of course, I can't stay at home for very long,
so I might just go do it myself, but it won't be right now!
I remember as a teenager,whenever it snowed, I would drive my mother crazy when I said, " I am going shopping!" Oh, she was so afraid to drive in the snow, and would practically have a nervous breakdown whenever I pulled this stunt! Now as a mom, I know how she felt!
Payback is something, ain't it!

If you are planning a visit to the store, please call first!

401-568-4830

You never know how the roads are in our snowbelt of RI,
so if there is no answer, we are closed!
We'll see you on Thursday!
Don't forget,

Candlelight Shopping in Chepachet
is on Thursday Eves from 6pm to 9pm!!!

It'll be so pretty with the snow all around!

Dress warm, and wear your galoshes!

"Yes, MOM!"
Geesh!

Oh, there goes another town plow................UGH!

Our Most Popular Print!

We have taken so many orders on this print this season!

I especially would like one for my new home!

It says it all!

Living Life

"Life is not a race - but indeed a journey. Be Honest. Work Hard. Be Choosy.

Say "thank you", and "great job" to someone each day. Go to church, take time for prayer. The Lord givith and the Lord taketh. Let your handshake mean more than pen and paper.

Love your life and what you've been given, it is not accidental ~ search for your purpose and do it as best you can. Dreaming does matter. It allows you to become that which you inspire to be. Laugh often. Appreciate the little things in life and enjoy them.

Some of the best things really are free. Do not worry, less wrinkles are more becoming.

Forgive, it frees the soul. Take time for yourself ~ Plan for longevity.

Recognize the special people you've been blessed to know.

Live for today, enjoy the moment."

We will offer this print with a special textured finish (no glass)

and a 2" Black worn frame in 2 sizes,

16 x 20 for $89.95 plus shipping
and 22 x 28 for $109.00 plus shipping.

Available on our website.

www.brownandhopkins.com

Ahhh......There's Nothing Like The Scent of a Fresh Pine Tree

Here is a recent comment from a great customer!

Comments: On my last visit to your store I purchased several items but one is particular. I got the "ScentSicles". I only have a little 2-1/2' tree and I placed them here and there and now when you walk by my little (artifical) tree it smells just like a balsam fir. I love them and recommend them to anyone who wants the smell of a real tree (without the mess lol)
Hope you continue to have them during the Christmas seasons to come.

Carol-Ann

Merry Christmas to you all !

There's just one little problem.....

That wonderful aroma only lasts a few days!

At Brown & Hopkins we have just the solution!

ScentSicles!!

Finally, a smart and affordable way to make
artificial Christmas trees smell like real trees
or extend the scent of a real tree!!
ScentSicles are 6" scented sticks topped with a
gold jewel cap for inserting an ornament hook
to hang on a Christmas tree or any other Holiday decoration.
ScentSicles create the wonderful memories of Christmas
and the holidays virtually anywhere, anytime.

You could even use them in your car, closet,
school/gym locker or office!

A few customers say they are going to place it in their
desk drawer at work, so they can be brought back
to this special time of year....
especially teachers!!!

Available in the pine scent
or the aroma of Grandma's Kitchen......
cookies baking and spiced cider brewing!

One package of 8 scentsicles in a resealable bag for just $8.95!

Great for those who can't have a real tree because of allergies,
but you can still have the scent of a real tree!

You'll need only 2 or 3 Scentsicles to scent a tree!!
They are awesome!!

Secret Ingredient Food Tour

We are so excited to be part of
The Blackstone Valley Tourism

Secret Ingredient Food Tour!

Tickets ($19.50 per person) may be purchased by calling 401-724-2200

or online by clicking here!

Date: Wednesday, December 9th

Time: 6pm to 9pm

Where: Brown & Hopkins Country Store

What: You'll be treated to an assortment of easy appetizers
just perfect for the holiday season!
Recipes will be provided!
Enjoy passed appetizers while you shop
in our 200 year old country store!
Shrimp Cocktail with Tequila Lime Cocktail Sauce!

Roasted Apple Pork Skewers!

White Bean and Artichoke Dip!

Meatballs in Raspberry Honey Mustard Sauce!

Hot Pepper Jelly Kielbasa!

Fig & Walnut Butter with Blue Cheese Tarts!

plus an assortment of dips and cheeseballs!

Let the party begin!

Space is limited, so don't delay!