Saturday, September 26, 2015

The Latest Kitchen Gadgets Are HERE!!!

We’re all  acquainted with the saying ‘If Mama Ain’t Happy, Ain’t Nobody Happy’ & it seems to have invaded the ‘kitchen gadget’ arena as well.  Check out our new ‘Angry-mama’ Microwave Cleaner. Just add water & vinegar and turn the lady loose for 7 minutes.  Clever, useful & all about Mama!!




How about a ZestN’est!!  Just what you need to ‘zest’ your fruit. Safe, quick & no mess. A snap-on lid keeps zest fresh!!




Sept. 23 is deemed the first day of Fall—did you ever wonder why ‘Fall’??  
In the world of nature, leaves on many trees die & fall to the ground..about 500 years ago, when Middle English was spoken, expressions like ‘fall of the leaf’ & ‘fall of the year’ were common..thus the season ‘Fall’.  
All that we need with this season is a little cooler weather & I’m all good!

Composting fall leaves is an excellent way to improve yard & garden soils. Mixing green & brown materials  together is the basic rule.




Another recent addition to our kitchen section is the CoolGrip Microwave Caddy.  Holds 6” Bowls to 10-1/2 “ Plates..never gets hot.. Catches spills & boil-overs (Mama will be happy).





We ordered a place-setting of Fiesta’s new Sage color in their updated square design.

Gals are lovin’ the new collegiate nail polish for A&M, Baylor, TCU & Texas Tech. (It’s SO MUCH fun to find these unique items).

No way to describe the unusual wall hangings made from ceiling tins which act as frames for (in this case) colorful chickens!! Also we have one that frames a beautiful cross.

One-of-a-kind artwork!! (Christmas gift ??)

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Some SWEET New Products Just Arrived!!

By reading this you will know that we managed to outmaneuver the crickets…not easily (they’re very persistent) but finally it doesn’t take quite as long to clear a path!!


Cute gift item—mugs that include a recipe for a ‘cake’ to cook in the mug in the microwave!  Include a packet of our too fun (& delish)  coffee and you’ve got a real treat for a friend! (The coffees are flavored and bear such  names as Blah-Blah-Blah, Queen Of Caffeine, Group Therapy, etc.)

Oops—I would be remiss if I didn’t mention cute coffee measuring spoons with whimsical wording…yet another gift idea!! 




OR, how about gravy ladles that offer encouragement—Pour It,  On, There’s Never Too Much Gravy! Check out all of the sassy serving pieces.








Try placing your container of ice cream in a plastic bag (push out as much air as possible) before storing in freezer.  It will keep the ice cream from being so hard. 







NEW fragrances added to our 
Tyler Candle 50% off SALE!!!


Holy Guacamole! Deviled Eggs
1 Pkt.* Guacamole Dip Mix
3-4 Ripe Avocados
4 Whole eggs in shell

Make Guacamole Dip according to package directions. Boil eggs & allow to cool. Slice eggs in half & remove yolks to mixing bowl. Mix eggs with prepared dip mix & fill empty egg halves with mixture. Chill & sprinkle with paprika before serving .  (I personally think this dip is adequate for 6 eggs). 
* At Wonderful Things.

Did you know the human head contains 22 bones?  Is that why people are sometimes called a bonehead???

Monday, August 31, 2015

Apple Pie Roll Ups



These Apple Pie Roll Ups
are easy as pie!

Ingredients:

1





Apple Pie Cheeseball & Dessert Mix (at Wonderful Things)
8 oz.cream cheese
16 slices (1 loaf)thinly sliced white bread, crusts removed
1 cupsugar
1 1/2 tsp.cinnamon
3/4 cupbutter, melted

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Flatten bread with a rolling-pin. In a bowl, combine Cheeseball Mix (topping used later) and cream cheese; mix until smooth. In another bowl, combine topping packet, sugar and cinnamon; set aside. Spread about 1 tablespoon of cheese mixture on each slice of bread. Roll up, dip in melted butter, then in cinnamon sugar. Place on an ungreased baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes until golden brown. Let set a couple minutes and serve!
Tip: Top with warm apple pie filling for an extra treat!

Friday, August 21, 2015

Lots of NEW Items Arriving!! (along with the crickets)

Our ‘Too Hot To Handle Sale’ was fun and everyone enjoyed the sale prices…still some great buys—come see!

If, indeed, crickets are the precursor to cooler weather, then Wonderful Things will be the coolest place in town! Unbelievable numbers of these critters came wave after wave!  Marvin found a powerful weapon (spray) at Gore’s and it rendered them ‘dead’, so after 3 days of sweeping them up (& the birds having an easy meal or two) we are hopeful that cooler weather is approaching!!


Several of you have been awaiting the arrival of the car vent air fresheners—yay at last— they are here.  

We have 5 different fragrances so I hope one will be perfect for you.









We’ve also got new ‘Armor Wallets’ & credit card sleeves 

(protect your credit cards from the bad guys who have the technology to steal your credit card information).







Credit card sleeves come in a pack of 4 different colors!
Great for men or women and slim enough to fit in most wallets!




When you're going through life's valleys  and you think there's no way out,  you're not the first to feel this way.  There's hope, without a doubt.






Cranberry Orange Dip Mix sounded so good that I decided we needed to give it a try—enjoy it as a dip, cheeseball or a very moist cake. (Recipes on the package).







For the kids 12+, we have the cutest “Doggie Pen” which comes with stickers to create a one-of-a-kind doggie!






Love the people God gave you because one day he will want them back.

Check out our new ‘look’ on the web.
www.wonderfulthingsonline.net  
Colorful & entertaining!!

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Crockin' Signing, NEW Bed & Bath Items, and a Tasty Recipe!

If you missed the Crockin' Girls autograph session last week, you definitely missed a great time! 


Crockin' Girls- Nicole Sparks & 
Jenna Marwitz with fans, 
Racheal and Reese Barron.
Photo by Shelley Barron
From the laughter & chatter, it was evident that friends & family alike enjoyed visiting & talking recipes. 

There will be smiley faces at Christmas when some lucky folks open their package containing a copy of Our Crockin' Life. 

Not to worry-you'll still be able to purchase the 'hot off the press' edition from us!! (And we continue to stock their first book.)






You could make a fortune if you could figure out the exact moment 
a piece of junk becomes an antique.




Better get in and check out some of the new bed/bath products just on the shelf..not only are they a treasure of fragrance, it won't empty a treasure chest to make a purchase...so reasonably priced. Soap bars, liquid soap, lotions, etc.




Have you mastered the art of balance in fashion? Consider that a bracelet offers balance when you wear a watch. 


EASY FRENCH BAKED CHICKEN
1pkg. *Caramelized Onion Garlic Dip Mix
4 chicken breasts, bone in
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1 C French salad dressing

Place chicken breasts in 9x13 baking dish. Season with salt & pepper. Mix French salad dressing & dip mix together. Pour over chicken breasts. Cover & chill 5-6 hours or overnight. Bake 2 hrs. @ 300 or until chicken is thoroughly cooked. 
*Available at Wonderful Things


Gossip: The more interesting, the more likely to be untrue.


Check out our NEW website @ www.wonderfulthingsonline.net
LOTS to see!!!

Easy French Baked Chicken

EASY FRENCH BAKED CHICKEN


1pkg. *Caramelized Onion Garlic Dip Mix
4 chicken breasts, bone in
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1 C French salad dressing

Place chicken breasts in 9x13 baking dish. Season with salt & pepper. Mix French salad dressing & dip mix together. Pour over chicken breasts. Cover & chill 5-6 hours or overnight. Bake 2 hrs. @ 300 or until chicken is thoroughly cooked.
*Available at Wonderful Things

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Corky's Are IN!



After quite a wait, we have  gotten in more of the multi-color Joanns  from Corky’s shoes.  They are bright, cheerful (& I might mention—comfy ) so they will add some pop to your shoe wardrobe.



Wherever you are, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine.







The large script wooden letters have been  such a hit in both rustic red & ivory that we are now stocking the 8” version in ivory. You’ll find them to be a fun way to add a little whimsy to your décor (also great for wreaths).  Dare I mention Christmas gifts??




TIP:  Surprise your folks with a different twist of flavor on their meat…I love to grab a packet
of savory dip mix and sprinkle It on hamburger,  steak, porkchops, etc. It’s fun to ‘cook outside the box’!  Keep ‘em guessing!!




New product!  A gift package of Lily Pad lids that contains an 11’, 9’, 8’ & 2 of the 4’ size for only $33.95. These lids continue to sell daily because they are so useful & unique—
they will seal anything that has a smooth surface & are stove-top, microwave & dishwasher safe.



TIP:  When freezing ground beef, flatten it out  in a Ziploc bag for faster thawing.



We now have a non-scratch scrubbing pad from e-cloth!  Use for hardened messes & stubborn grime. (only requires water).



There comes a time in life when you have to let go of all the pointless drama & the people who create it & surround yourself with people who make you laugh so hard that you forget the bad & focus solely on the good. After all, life is too short to be anything but happy.


Thursday, July 30, 2015

It's Our Crockin' Life

We've all been waiting for Nicole & Jenna's newest cookbook....and it will be available complete with these fun girls to autograph your copies...

 
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7

11-1

Write a note to yourself--and make certain you don't miss this opportunity to grab a copy of It's Our Crockin' Life.

What a great gift! (Christmas is just around the corner)!  

As always, there will be light refreshments 
(and at least couple of interesting sale items
to round out your visit.

Please share this info with your friends--we don't want anyone to miss the fun !!

From the sale of each cookbook on the 7th, 
we will donate $2 to each of the following
community projects:

Revitalize Comanche
and
Comanche Christmas on the Square





We look forward to seeing you!

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Sales, Garden Tips, & A NEW Crockin Girls Cookbook!!

Wonderful Tidbits!

Chalk up another successful market trip. I would probably faint if I actually knew how many that makes since 1984 but no need to count when we’re still having  fun!! Such a challenge to search for items that will appeal to you at an affordable price—always keeping in mind that we need to stay ‘fresh’ and somewhat unique!!  Some of our ‘finds’ will arrive as early as this week.



Save some pretty pennies with our sale table, clothing rack and shoes.







If you haven’t made refrigerator pickles




More people would try to do right—IF they thought it was wrong!

Check our suggestions for 4th of July entertaining…some décor, food & grill ware will make the weekend enjoyable…add smiles & laughter with friends and family for the memories.








We visited The Crockin’ Girls at market
and learned that their latest cookbook will
be available by the end of July…AND we’ll
host a book signing event for them in
August..the exact date to be determined
soon!!  Let us know if you want to be
 included.









It’s a fact---we’re on the downhill side of the 2015 calendar (yep—it means that Christmas is not so far away). 

Just Say NO to Mosquitoes!

It's summertime in Texas, and in case you weren't aware of that from the heat, you might have noticed it from the mosquitoes swarming in our backyards! 

Mosquitoes have been replaced by Mosquitnos around here...







Say goodbye to messy bug sprays and itch creams and hello to these easy to wear repellent bands. 

Pick your favorite color and you're ready for all the outdoor activities you need! 














These last for around 120 hours and you won't even notice you're wearing it. 


Available in size large for adults, and small for kids.


Cranberry & Walnut Dip Mix Recipes

Cranberry & Walnut Dip Mix is one of our favorites and has endless possibilities!!



Tart cranberries, sweet honey, apples, and walnuts team up for this delicious dip and spread mix. Great served with bagels, apple or pear slices, whole wheat crackers or sweet cookies, and carrot or celery sticks. Our Cranberry Walnut Dip Mix is versatile and amazing as a cake or as the most unbelievable chicken salad recipe as well--seriously, you have to try it! This product contains No MSG, No Added Salt and No Wheat.



Cranberry & Walnut Cake

Ingredients Needed:
1 packet Cranberry & Walnut Dip Mix 

1 pkg. yellow cake mix, pudding in mix 
2 eggs 
1 cup water 
1/3 cup oil 
1 cup sour cream 

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350º. In a large bowl place ALL ingredients. With electric mixer blend on low speed then mix on medium speed for 1 minute. Pour batter into greased bundt or tube pan. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes until done. Cake is done when top springs back to touch, or when a toothpick is inserted and comes out clean. Cool slightly in pan and then invert onto a serving plate. Pour glaze over warm cake. Glaze: 1 cup powdered sugar 1 to 2 Tbls. milk 1 Tbls. orange juice or 1 tsp. vanilla extract


Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad

Ingredients needed: 
Cranberry Walnut Dip Mix, prepared (with 1 cup of sour cream and 8 oz. cream cheese) 
2 cups of cooked, cubed chicken (may use canned chunk chicken breast) 
1 (20 oz.) can of pineapple tidbits or crushed pineapple, drained 
1 cup chopped celery 
1/4 cup chopped onion 

Directions: 
Make Cranberry Walnut Dip Mix according to directions. Mix in drained pineapple. Fold in 2 cups of cooked cubed chicken, celery and onion. If mixture is too thick, you may thin with mayonnaise (use real mayonnaise, not salad dressing such as Miracle Whip®). Allow to chill overnight or a minimum of 6 hours. Tastes great served on mini-croissants or on honey wheat cocktail bread by Rubschlager® (usually found in deli section).