Thursday, September 24, 2009
Wow What a Week and it isn't over yet
It was crazy time here, my two grandsons (11-13) came to stay, unexpectedly, for 3 days. We had events scheduled one right on top of the other, in the middle I get a call from the school....101 fever and needs picked up immediately...panic calls and finally got a ride, the event was very slow and generally a waste of time, but on to the next, had to pick up child 2 at school, go to the grocery. (Didn't know my little Pontiac could hold so much stuff and 3 people...amazing!!), change inventory and then off to event number 2. We had to split up because I also had a client for computer training, dropped 1/2 group off, took off to my clients house....back to the mall to pick up my Chocolatiers, on the way home phone rings....they forgot books....U TURN...back to the mall, finally get home to find out grandson 1 has developed a cough to go with the fever....back in the car and off to the drugstore. Finally dropped into bed at 11:30....I AM TOO OLD FOR ALL OF THIS! This morning had to be at the Dr's office at 8:00 for blood work...regular nurse took the day off (I may never speak to her again.) The replacement just couldn't seem to hit a vein.....2 tries later and in my hand finally BLOOD. Granny was not feeling well, had to deal with her.....Boys finally just got picked up at 9:15 and I am going to bed. Tomorrow is another full day. At least Amy sold a big cable package so today isn't a total loss....Good for her!! GOOD NIGHT
Monday, September 21, 2009
Customer Service
If you have ever wondered how important customer service can be to the success of your business let me cite an example. Amy sold a customer last week and as a requirement they needed to have ground plugs put in before installation....they forgot and when the installer came to put in the ATT UVerse he couldn't finish the install. As a consequence someone messed up and they were without phone and internet all weekend. The customer called Amy this morning, upset because they couldn't use either service. Amy jumped on her white horse (the telephone) and worked with ATT and the customer to come up with a solution. She spent most of the morning going up the chain and getting as good a resolution as possible. She wasn't sure the customer was totally satisfied, but she did everything she could do.
As she was leaving to start her evening she received a call from the customer asking her if she could come by the house, without asking why Amy said Yes and drove immediately to her home to get the ....NEWS??? Upon arrival she found the neighbors waiting for her and with the current customers referral she was able to sign the neighbor to begin ATT UVerse. They only reason she received the referral was because of the great customer service she gave to the customer in resolving her issues. They didn't tell her why they wanted her to come to their house, but admitted it was a final test of her dedication to great customer service and she passed with flying colors. So the next time you get someone with a problem, don't brush them off, give them the best service you can and maybe you too will reap the benefits of a satisfied customer.
As she was leaving to start her evening she received a call from the customer asking her if she could come by the house, without asking why Amy said Yes and drove immediately to her home to get the ....NEWS??? Upon arrival she found the neighbors waiting for her and with the current customers referral she was able to sign the neighbor to begin ATT UVerse. They only reason she received the referral was because of the great customer service she gave to the customer in resolving her issues. They didn't tell her why they wanted her to come to their house, but admitted it was a final test of her dedication to great customer service and she passed with flying colors. So the next time you get someone with a problem, don't brush them off, give them the best service you can and maybe you too will reap the benefits of a satisfied customer.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Another Yummy Recipe
Found this on another blog and wanted to pass it on. It sounds fabulous if you love chocolate and peanut butter (and who doesn't)
Chocolate Peanut Butter Recipe
It’s easy to make your own gourmet chocolate peanut butter at home. Put it in a fancy jar, and it’s great for gifts, bake sales, or fund-raisers.
Ingredients:
•1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
•1-1/2 cups smooth peanut butter
•1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
•1/4 cup confectioners sugar
•1 teaspoon vanilla extract
•1 teaspoon instant coffee granules
•1 teaspoon hot water
Directions:
Melt chocolate chips (preferably Dove Chocolate Baking Bits) in a double-boiler or in the microwave until smooth. Take care not to scorch the chocolate. Let cool until barely warm, but still liquid.
Scrape melted chocolate into a large bowl. Add peanut butter, butter, sugar, and vanilla extract. Stir until thoroughly combined.
Mix instant coffee with hot water until completely dissolved. Add coffee to the chocolate peanut butter mixture until combined.
Scrape into glass jars with tight seals. Serve as a spread with cookies, crackers, or toast or use as a filling for cakes.
Pretty jars of chocolate peanut butter make great gifts for any occasion and also work well for bake sales and other fund-raisers.
Yield: About 2 cups peanut butter
Chocolate Peanut Butter Recipe
It’s easy to make your own gourmet chocolate peanut butter at home. Put it in a fancy jar, and it’s great for gifts, bake sales, or fund-raisers.
Ingredients:
•1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
•1-1/2 cups smooth peanut butter
•1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
•1/4 cup confectioners sugar
•1 teaspoon vanilla extract
•1 teaspoon instant coffee granules
•1 teaspoon hot water
Directions:
Melt chocolate chips (preferably Dove Chocolate Baking Bits) in a double-boiler or in the microwave until smooth. Take care not to scorch the chocolate. Let cool until barely warm, but still liquid.
Scrape melted chocolate into a large bowl. Add peanut butter, butter, sugar, and vanilla extract. Stir until thoroughly combined.
Mix instant coffee with hot water until completely dissolved. Add coffee to the chocolate peanut butter mixture until combined.
Scrape into glass jars with tight seals. Serve as a spread with cookies, crackers, or toast or use as a filling for cakes.
Pretty jars of chocolate peanut butter make great gifts for any occasion and also work well for bake sales and other fund-raisers.
Yield: About 2 cups peanut butter
Friday, September 11, 2009
CHOCOLATE OPPORTUNITY
I know I am shouting, but this is such a great opportunity that I just have to shout.
Dove Chocolate Discoveries has just announced that anyone who wants to lauch their own Chocolate Business during September and October has the opportunity to join as a Chocolatier at a very special price for the chocolatier kits.
For only $99.00 (plus $20 shipping) for the basic kit, you can become Dayton's newest Chocolatier. That is a savings of $50.00. What you receive is everything you will need....chocolate products and supplies ....for your first 4 Gourmet Chocolate Tasting parties.
This is a chance to be in business for yourself...but not by yourself. Dayton Chocolatiers will provide you lots of support and guidance showing you how chocolate is such an easy delicious sell that you can't resist being a winner.
Check this great opportunity out on our website at www.dove-chocolate-discoveries.com/daytonchocolatiers or just contact us at sweetrewards@daytonchocolatiers.com.
I know the economy is this area is terrible but people will always find a way to have a little chocolate.
If you love the taste of sweet and salty you have got to try the new Sea Salt Chocolate Caramels that are new for fall. They are so awesome, they can make you cry.
Join Us today and have a party every day.
Dove Chocolate Discoveries has just announced that anyone who wants to lauch their own Chocolate Business during September and October has the opportunity to join as a Chocolatier at a very special price for the chocolatier kits.
For only $99.00 (plus $20 shipping) for the basic kit, you can become Dayton's newest Chocolatier. That is a savings of $50.00. What you receive is everything you will need....chocolate products and supplies ....for your first 4 Gourmet Chocolate Tasting parties.
This is a chance to be in business for yourself...but not by yourself. Dayton Chocolatiers will provide you lots of support and guidance showing you how chocolate is such an easy delicious sell that you can't resist being a winner.
Check this great opportunity out on our website at www.dove-chocolate-discoveries.com/daytonchocolatiers or just contact us at sweetrewards@daytonchocolatiers.com.
I know the economy is this area is terrible but people will always find a way to have a little chocolate.
If you love the taste of sweet and salty you have got to try the new Sea Salt Chocolate Caramels that are new for fall. They are so awesome, they can make you cry.
Join Us today and have a party every day.
Ammendment to Tomato Soup Recipe
After some consideration I may make a change or two to the recipe I posted yesterday for Fresh Tomato Soup.
you might want to very thinly slice a onion and carmelize it in the olive oil, before you put in the tomatoes. The onion should almost dissapear as the soup cooks, but when you blend it you will never see the onion.
Also you might also want to add 1 tablespoon of honey to counter some of the acidity of the tomatoes.
It is good without these changes, but you can always make it better
you might want to very thinly slice a onion and carmelize it in the olive oil, before you put in the tomatoes. The onion should almost dissapear as the soup cooks, but when you blend it you will never see the onion.
Also you might also want to add 1 tablespoon of honey to counter some of the acidity of the tomatoes.
It is good without these changes, but you can always make it better
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Himalayan Salt is so good
note: this is one of the salts used on our Dove Sea Salted Caramels, I saw this article and found it very interesting.
Imagine the purest salt being deposited in its most natural state.
Much purer than sea salt, Himalayan pink salt combines sublime flavor from the ancient sea with rich minerals including calcium, magnesium, potassium, copper and iron. This marine fossil salt, harvested from the foothills of the Himalayas, is 100% natural, unrefined and unpolluted pink, translucent crystals. Its subtle, crunchy texture, raw or cooked, makes a unique and delightful addition to any savory fare.
Himalayan Salt History
Since ancient times, salt has been the principal source of income for people living in those remote regions. Because food preserved in salt retains its nutritional properties for several months, Himalayan people use it to keep fish and meat all year long. They also use it as a currency in trading. For centuries, once a year in springtime, the Himalayan people have been transporting the salt to the Nepalese valleys for trade. Heavily burdened yaks carry the salt, traveling along narrow sloping paths, often these paths have been carved in cliffs. Once they have arrived at their destination, the salt is traded for cereals, which is the staple of the diet for these Himalayan salt traders. It is easy to understand why salt has always been so precious for mankind.
Imagine the purest salt being deposited in its most natural state.
Much purer than sea salt, Himalayan pink salt combines sublime flavor from the ancient sea with rich minerals including calcium, magnesium, potassium, copper and iron. This marine fossil salt, harvested from the foothills of the Himalayas, is 100% natural, unrefined and unpolluted pink, translucent crystals. Its subtle, crunchy texture, raw or cooked, makes a unique and delightful addition to any savory fare.
Himalayan Salt History
Since ancient times, salt has been the principal source of income for people living in those remote regions. Because food preserved in salt retains its nutritional properties for several months, Himalayan people use it to keep fish and meat all year long. They also use it as a currency in trading. For centuries, once a year in springtime, the Himalayan people have been transporting the salt to the Nepalese valleys for trade. Heavily burdened yaks carry the salt, traveling along narrow sloping paths, often these paths have been carved in cliffs. Once they have arrived at their destination, the salt is traded for cereals, which is the staple of the diet for these Himalayan salt traders. It is easy to understand why salt has always been so precious for mankind.
Tomatoes taking over your kitchen???
I have one tomato plant but a bounty of delicious tomatos. So I decided to try something new.
I took 4 medium tomatos, scalded them so I could remove the peels
I then cut them into 1/8 pieces
Heat 3 Tbsps. of good olive oil in sauce pan
Add the cut up tomatos
Add 1/4 Cup of Chopped Basil Fresh (less if you are using dried basil)
Cooked them until the tomatos were mushy and easy to break apart. (about 5 minutes)
Pour the tomatos into a blender or food processor and pureed the mixture until it is smooth.
Return mixture to the original saucepan
Season to taste with salt and pepper
Stir in 4 tsps butter and let melt (makes the soup glossy and delicious)
VARIATIONS:
You can serve this soup hot with fresh basil sprinkled on top
You can serve it hot, warm, cool or cold
You can add a piece of fresh mozorella cheese to the warm soup
For a cream soup, stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream to the warm or cold soup
Add some crispy bread or a grilled cheese sandwich and it makes a delicious meal
Takes less that 15 minutes to make the soup
Serves 2 generous portions or 4 cups of soup with the sandwich and your tomatos didn't go to waste.
I hope you enjoy this homemade version, it is much better than canned tomato soup
I took 4 medium tomatos, scalded them so I could remove the peels
I then cut them into 1/8 pieces
Heat 3 Tbsps. of good olive oil in sauce pan
Add the cut up tomatos
Add 1/4 Cup of Chopped Basil Fresh (less if you are using dried basil)
Cooked them until the tomatos were mushy and easy to break apart. (about 5 minutes)
Pour the tomatos into a blender or food processor and pureed the mixture until it is smooth.
Return mixture to the original saucepan
Season to taste with salt and pepper
Stir in 4 tsps butter and let melt (makes the soup glossy and delicious)
VARIATIONS:
You can serve this soup hot with fresh basil sprinkled on top
You can serve it hot, warm, cool or cold
You can add a piece of fresh mozorella cheese to the warm soup
For a cream soup, stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream to the warm or cold soup
Add some crispy bread or a grilled cheese sandwich and it makes a delicious meal
Takes less that 15 minutes to make the soup
Serves 2 generous portions or 4 cups of soup with the sandwich and your tomatos didn't go to waste.
I hope you enjoy this homemade version, it is much better than canned tomato soup
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