The Clock is Ticking!

Can you believe another year is upon us? Where oh where does the time go! I remember my dear old MOM telling me when I was young, to stop wishing my life away becasue when you get older time will fly by! Boy was she right!

While I don't dislike a New Year, I don't like what it brings....

All of my favorite, deep rich colors, twinkly lights and memory filled Christmas Decorations get taken down and stored away until next year!

I will miss you dear old treasures! See ya' next year!

Longaberger's After Holiday Sale

Some great deals you can stock up on for next year, or use some of that Christmas money that was under your tree to treat yourself to something you have had your eye on!

Hurry, supplies are limited and the sale ends Friday, Dec 31st at 11:59pm!

You can order by visiting my website www.longaberger.com/monicawilliams or by contacting me!

Happy Shopping!

Merry CHRISTmas!

Giving and Receiving Part 2!

I have some many wonderful, generous, kind hearted and talented friends that I like to share the Christmas Spirit with by giving them a little something I love, that is homemade!

So, I packaged up 48 of these little cuties for each of them!

It's Christmas Tea, sometimes known as Russian Tea, Wassil, etc.

It's sooo good! It's an orange cinnamony tea that hits the spot on those cold winter days and nights!

I even gave the FED X driver one as he carried 6 large Longaberger boxes up my snow covered driveway last week!

When he returned today to carry two more boxes up my freshly snow covered driveway, he said "Man, was that tea good!", thank you again!

What homemade gifts or store bought do you like to bestow on your friends at CHRISTmas time?

Christmas Giving and Receiving!

It's better to give than to receive....of course that was said by someone who didn't receive this!

This oh so perfect primitive tool caddy filled with so many goodies, including local honey, a varitey of teas, bayberry candles, pomegrante lotion and D. Nau's world famous cinnamon sugar covered almonds and pecans! What more could a girl ask for!



Who needs Santa when gracious, kind hearted, ultra giving M. Nau presents this little beauty to you!



Thanks M, I couldn't have picked out a more perfect gift for me!

Hope, Peace, COOKIES!

My Annual Christmas Cookie Exchange was last Saturday! This is the 11th year for my exchange here in the bluegrass state!



There were 17 sweet and oh so Talented women who attended with 10 dozen cookies in hand!

The varities included cranberry shortbread, cranberry bars, Lynn's famous pizelle's, Aunt Mary Dillion's praline cookies, clothespin cookies, rootbeer cookies, white chocolate cranberry popcorn and oh so many more tasty treats!

They each departed with 10 dozen assorted cookies to enjoy during the CHRISTmas Season and a recipe book with each cookie recipe to make them throughout the year!

What are some of your annual Christmas traditions?

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Countdown to Christmas!

Longaberger's Perfect Serving Set

Just when you think the deals can't get any better, Longaberger manages to up the ante!

Starting tomorrow, you can get the Retired Woven Traditions 3-Part Server and one each of the three new Longaberger Seasoning Blends for only $35.00! That's right only $35.00! That's a $65.00 value for less than half price!

The dish comes in your choice of colors and is perfect for:

serving dips!
holding toppings for tacos, baked potatoes, salads, ice cream and more!
holds teas, creamer and sweetener packets for your coffee station!
holds your keys, spare change and cell phone near the door!
holds jewelry!
great on your desk for paper clips, stamps and more
perfect in the craft room to hold beads, safety pins and more

The uses are endless!

For only $35.00 this multi-functional cutie can be yours! This deal won't last forever, you can take advantage of this offer for 12 hours only, beginning, tomorrow, Wednesday, Oct 13the from noon til 11:59pm EST!

To order visit www.longaberger.com/monicawilliams or contact me!

What would you use the 3-Part Server for?

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Can you believe it is October already?

Before you know it, it will be Halloween, followed by Thanksgiving and then my beloved Christmas will be upon us!

Don't get caught off guard with the arrival of Christmas! Let Longaberger help you deck your halls, cross those names off your gift list and entertain like a pro!

October is a great month to start your Chrsitmas prepartions from decorating to shopping Longaberger can take care of it all!

In October with any basket purchase you can purchase this little darling for only $19.00! That's a two for one off the old gift list!

Check it out here www.longaberger.com/monicawilliams

Longaberger's Online Specials featuring the Chestnut Oval Diamond Basket and the new Extra Large Metropolitian Basket!

The temperatures have cooled off a bit, and that means fall is right around the corner, thank goodness, this summer was brutal!

With fall just around the corner, that means it will be Halloween, then Thanksgiving and before you know it Christmas!

It's not too early to start thinking about those Christmas Gifts! The sooner you start, the sooner you finish and your budget will thank you as you can spread the expense out over several months. You will also have time to sit back and enjoy the season and not have to fight the crowds!

Longaberger can help you get some of that shopping done, this week with their incredible online specials!

On Tuesday, you can get the beautiful Chestnut Oval Diamond Basket for only $24.00! That's right, a made in America handmade basket for only $24.00! That's 50% off the regular price of $48.00!

Now that's deal! It can hold almost anything from a vegetable bowl, to a catch all of cell phones, wallet's keys and more!

This is an online only special and is while supplies last. It starts at 11:59am on Tuesday, September 7 and you can order by visiting my website www.longaberger.com/monicawilliams or by contacting me!

As the temperatures get cooler, we begin moving indoors and start pulling out those cozy throws! We also begin looking around our home for ways to refresh and renew our space!

On Wednesday, Longaberger is offering the sleek and stylish extra large Metropolitan Basket for only $149.00! It is normally $249.00!

It works perfect as a side table next to your favorite chair and doubles as a storage container for throws, books, games and more.

This little beauty will help you conquer the clutter and have your house organized and tidy in no time at all!

It's available in 5 incredible stain colors, sure to fit every one's decor!

You can order by visiting my website www.longaberger.com/monicawilliams on Wednesday, Sept 8 beginning at noon or by contacting me!

These baskets come in several sizes and look at this adorable snowman made from various sizes of the Metropolitan baskets.

How do you do your Christmas shopping? Throughout the year, in November or do you wait until the last minute to get it done?

Organizing With Longaberger Baskets!

Check out The Domestic Chick's incredible idea for organizing recipes in, whatelse, a Longaberger Basket! http://thedomesticchick.blogspot.com/2010/09/recipe-box.html#links

Thanks for the tips Domestic Chick!

How do you organize your recipes?

Weaving Dreams - Tami Longaberger's New Book

Tami Longaberger, CEO for the Longaberger Company has just released her new book, Weaving Dreams, The Joy of Work, The Love of Life, and it's available in bookstores everywhere!

Weaving Dreams is the Longaberger Story of today. In it Tami graciously shares a personal side of herself that we've never heard before.

With great tenderness, transparency, and candor, this book opens her heart, offering readers a glimpse of her unique "American Dream" - the kind not handed down or given freely - but earned by hard work and fierce tenacity.

This book is a story of inspiration and motivation in both business and life. It's truly a new chapter in the Longaberger Story!

The Longaberger Company is a great American success story, and continues to employ thousands of American Craftsmen and Women!

Don't miss out on a great read, get your copy today!

Longaberger's Weekly Online Specials

Hold onto your socks! This one is going to knock your socks off! The beautiful new Signature Weave in several classic shapes as well as a new design!

The signature weave baskets feature warm, rich and deep brown stain colors, perfect for any decor. And perfect for those of you who can't decide which stain you like best! This collection makes the decision for you!

This Wednesday, August 25th beginning at noon you can add these beautiful baskets to your collection. From all time favorites like the Cracker, Bread and Cake basket to the new Hold it all Basket! Prices start at just $36.00!

This is a one day, online only special. Don't miss out on your chance to own these beauties!

You can order by visiting my website www.longaberger.com/monicawilliams or by contacting me!

Longaberger's Woven Traditions Candy Corn Travel Mug another Must Have!

Check out this little cutie! Who doesn't love candy corn? It's such a happy little site!

It brings back memories of childhood and crisp fall days and evenings! And, when mixed with dry roasted peanuts it is irresistible!

You can have your little piece of candy corn goodness, with no calories when you "treat" yourself to Longaberger's woven traditions candy corn travel mug!

For only $16.00 you can get one for you and one for a friend! You will be all the rage with coworkers and friends when you carry this little goodie around filled with your favorite hot or cold beverage!

You better act fast, this little treasure is only available through the end of August!

You can check it out here www.longaberger.com/monicawilliams

Happy Fall!

Longaberger's Woven Traditions Appetizer Plates a Must Have!

Here's another indispensable pottery piece from Longaberger! The new Woven Traditions Appetizer Plates!

While they are called appetizer plates their uses go far beyond just appetizers! Here are some that come to mind:

• Perfect as a spoon rest while cooking or alongside the crock pot!



• Perfect sandwich plate!



• Makes a great small plate for a cheese ball or block of cheese!



• Perfect gift when accompanied by a dip mix and spreader all tied up in cellophane with a great big bow!



• Works as a small message center or greeting board when you use a dry erase marker and place it on an easel!



• Perfect for loose change, keys, cell phone etc!



• Perfect on the nightstand for reading glasses and lotion!
  

I could go on and on! But I won't, as I know you have the perfect use for these little darlings!

While the uses are endless, the availability isn't!

The set of 2 Woven Traditions Appetizer Plates are only available through the end of August and then they are gone!

You can add them to your list of Go To's for only $29.00! But don't delay, August is flying by

You can order by visiting www.longaberger.com/monicawilliams or by contacting me! Once on my page, click on Bittersweet Autumn to see all of the incredible colors the appetizer plates are avaialbe in.

I am going to order some to keep in my gift stash! How would you use your appetizer plate?

Longaberger's Indispensable One-Pint Pottery Crock

Ok, you know there are several items in your kitchen that could be called "your go-to's", right?

You know, despite the zillion items in your kitchen, from plasticware to serving pieces, the go-to's are the items that are always the first you reach for and often times you have more than one of them because you find them so versatile!

One of my all time favorite go-to's is Longaberger's one-pint pottery crock!

This little guy is perfect for serving, storing, baking, containing and almost anything else you would want to use it for!

It's made by Longaberger, which means it is vitrified, and that means it can take a licking and still keep on ticking! It is dishwasher, microwave, oven and freezer safe!

All of that from this little beauty!

My go-to's are used for:

1. Hiding the Land o Lakes graphics on my whipped butter tub when company is over. Just pop the lid off the butter container and it fits perfectly inside the little crock and looks oh so charming.



2. One sits on my sink and holds the sink stopper, brillo pads and my pampered chef plastic scrappers!



3. Perfect for holding salad, ice cream, baked potato, chili or taco fixings!



4. Your picnic will be the talk of the town, when you use a red one for your ketchup, butternut for your mustard and an ivory one for your mayo! Your guests will ewe and ahhh over it!



5. The perfect dip server, where cold or hot! Place it in the center of your favorite platter or basket, filled with your favorite dip with crackers or veggies spread around it!



6. Perfect to hold jewlery that you take off in the kitchen while cooking!



7. Holds kosher salt near the stove so it is within arms reach!



8. Bakes the most delicious jumbo muffins, cupcakes or chocolate molten cakes around and can right into the dishwasher for easy cleanup!



9. Works like a charm for baked french onion soup, put an english muffin in the bottom, pour your favorite canned french onion soup over the muffin, top with shredded cheese and into the oven it goes!



10. A catch all for change, keys, and cell phones by the entry door!

I could go on and on, but I won't as I know you can come up with your own list of uses for this little beauty!

The sad news about this little gem is that Longaberger is going to retire it on August 31st! The good news is that there is still time to get one or two for you! You can order by visiting my website www.longaberger.com/monicawilliams or by contacting me!

The even better news is that I am giving one away in your choice of color to one lucky random winner when you drop me a comment that tells me how you use your one pint crock or how you would use it if you are the lucky winner!

You have until Sunday, August 15th to leave your comment! I will announce the winner on Monday!

Good luck and good-bye oh faithful one pint crock!

Longaberger Basket's Weekly Online Special

Wait until you see this week's Longaberger Basket online only special!

An American Classic! Designed to replicate the Paul Revere Bowl from the mid 1700's, the classic lines, combined with the contemporary colors, provide you a modern spin on this American Treasure.

Orignally commissioned as a gift for the House of Representatives, today it continues to make a beautiful centerpiece, a decorative floral arrangement and of course a cherished gift for every special occassion.

This is an exclusive Longaberger design, never offered before. It is available on Wednesday, August 4th and is an exclusive one day online only special. It is on sale for only $69.00 (a $31.00 savings).

Don't miss out, you can order yours by visiting my website www.longaberger.com/monicawilliams or by contacting me.

Please note protectors for this item will not be available until 8/13. If you order a protector with your basket, the basket and protector will ship after 8/13.

Longaberger's Annual Horizon of Hope Campaign

It's July and that means it's way too hot and it's time for Longaberger's Annual Horizon of Hope Campaign!

Longaberger teamed up with the American Cancer Society several years ago with the introduction of their Horizon of Hope Campaign. The Horizon of Hope Campaign features various Longaberger baskets, pottery pieces and often times a cute little fabric tote or handbag!

The best part is that a portion of the proceeds from the purchase of the Horizon of Hope items is donated to the American Cancer Society for Breast Cancer Education and Research! Since the program's inception Longaberger has donated $14 Million Dollars to this worthy cause.

You can help increase this donation by purchasing a Horizon of Hope Basket or Pottery piece this July!

It's the perfect way to celebrate a survivor and help a worthy cause at the same time.

You can check out the collection by clicking on this link. http://www.longaberger.com/monicawilliams

How many survivors do you? Let's celebrate them all!

Longaberger Lifestyle

I just returned from the Longaberger's National Sales meeting known as the Basket BEE or just the BEE!

I had an incredible time as usual! 9 of the ladies in my Abundantly Blessed Branch attended as well as one guest (AG) who came all the way from Chicago to join in on the fun!

We laughed together, ooohed and ahhhhed together and had some great sisterhood time!

We even had a BEE Boy help wish KC a Happy Birthday while at the BEE!

The new product is going to knock your socks off! From new pottery shapes and a new unbelievable chocolate color to an unbeliveable Christmas collection. If you haven't checked out Longaberger in awhile it's more than just your Mother's baskets!

All of these goodies will be available September 1st! If you are on my mailing list you will receive your catalog in the mail, if you aren't on my list and wish to be, feel free to contact me and I will add you to my list!

This week Longaberger is featuring a flash from the past, the classic and multipurpose canisters in three sizes! These canisters are available in 8 amazing colors and work perfectly in every room to tame the clutter. Canisters aren't just at home in the kitchen!

To order click here http://www.longaberger.com/monicawilliams

Stay tuned for more specials, recipes and product use ideas that will make your home uniquely yours!

My Favorite Things Part 5

BEE TIME! Longaberger's National Sales meeting occurs every summer! It is sooooo much fun! Spending time with consultants from around the globe, meeting new people, hanging out with the girls in my Branch, seeing all of the new baskets and pottery designs and best of all it all happens indoors in an air conditioned arena!

My Favorite Things Part 4

Hanging out with my Basket Buddies indoors of course!

Come on inside the air conditioning is wonderful!

A Few of My Favorite Things Part 3

Indoor almost No Cost Home Improvements!

Indoor, because the air conditioning makes me forget about the hot humid temps outside!

Here's the before shot of my staircase, complete with yards and yards of bland beige wool carpet, complete with coffee stains from my DH (he's says its not him but he is the only one who drinks coffee), dirt from his shoes and year of wear and tear!

BEFORE:

Here's the after shot! No more stained carpet, no more vacuming and it welcomes me everytime I climb the stairs!

AFTER:

What are you doing to beat the heat????

A Few Of My Favorite Things Part 2

Entertaining in a cool air conditioned cozy home!



There's nothing better to help beat the heat! Good food, good friends and wonderful air conditioning!

A Few of My Favorite Things!

To beat the heat, I am going to take my mind of it by thinking about some of my favorite things this week!

Here's the first one! Anything made of fabric!

What are your favorite things?

Stay cool!

Happy Birthday America!

Hope you had a Happy 4th of July!

March Happiness!

Let's hear it for the Mountaineers!

Better than paper towels and a lot less expensive... COFFEE FILTERS

Coffee filters ..... Who knew! And you can buy 1,000 at the Dollar Tree for almost nothing even the large ones.

1. Cover bowls or dishes when cooking in the microwave.. Coffee filters make excellent covers.

2. Clean windows, mirrors, and chrome... Coffee filters are lint-free so they'll leave windows sparkling.

3. Protect China by separating your good dishes with a coffee filter between each dish.

4. Filter broken cork from wine. If you break the cork when opening a wine bottle, filter the wine through a coffee filter.

5. Protect a cast-iron skillet. Place a coffee filter in the skillet to absorb moisture and prevent rust.

6. Apply shoe polish. Ball up a lint-free coffee filter.

7. Recycle frying oil. After frying, strain oil through a sieve lined with a coffee filter.

8. Weigh chopped foods. Place chopped ingredients in a coffee filter on a kitchen scale.

9. Hold tacos. Coffee filters make convenient wrappers for messy foods.

10. Stop the soil from leaking out of a plant pot. Line a plant pot with a coffee filter to prevent the soil from going through the drainage holes.

11. Prevent a Popsicle from dripping. Poke one or two holes as needed in a coffee filter..

12. Do you think we used expensive strips to wax eyebrows? Use strips of coffee filters..

13. Put a few in a plate and put your fried bacon, French fries, chicken fingers, etc on them. It soaks out all the grease.

14. Keep in the bathroom. They make great "razor nick fixers."

15. As a sewing backing.. Use a filter as an easy-to-tear backing for embroidering or appliqueing soft fabrics.

16. Put baking soda into a coffee filter and insert into shoes or a closet to absorb or prevent odors.

17. Use them to strain soup stock and to tie fresh herbs in to put in soups and stews.

18. Use a coffee filter to prevent spilling when you add fluids to your car.

19. Use them as a spoon rest while cooking and clean up small counter spills.

20. Can use to hold dry ingredients when baking or when cutting a piece of fruit or veggies...

saves on having extra bowls to wash.

21.. Use them to wrap Christmas ornaments for storage.

22. Use them to remove fingernail polish when out of cotton balls.

23. Use them to sprout seeds.. Simply dampen the coffee filter, place seeds inside, fold it and place it into a plastic baggie until they sprout.

24. Use coffee filters as blotting paper for pressed flowers. Place the flowers between two coffee filters and put the coffee filters in phone book..

25. Use as a disposable "snack bowl" for popcorn, chips, etc.

OH YEAH THEY ARE GREAT TO USE IN YOUR COFFEE MAKERS TOO.

25 Thoughts for the New Year!

YOUR DAILY SURVIVAL KIT FOR THE NEW YEAR


Today, I am sharing a DAILY SURVIVAL KIT to help you each day............

Toothpick ... to remind you to pick the good qualities in everyone, including yourself.

Rubber band ... to remind you to be flexible. Things might not always go the way you want, but it can be worked out.

Band-Aid ... to remind you to heal hurt feelings, either yours or someone else's.

Eraser ... to remind you everyone makes mistakes. That's okay, we learn by our mistakes..... eventually!

Candy Kiss ... to remind you that everyone (including you) needs a hug or a compliment everyday !!!

Mint ... to remind you that you are worth a mint to your family & Me.

Bubble Gum ... to remind you to stick with it and you can accomplish anything.

Pencil ... to remind you to list your blessings every day.

Tea Bag ... to remind you to take time to relax daily and go over that list of God's blessings. This is what makes life worth living every minute, every day

Wishing you love, joy, inner peace, gratitude, friends to cherish, someone to care for, someone to share life with, laughter, blessings, and warm feelings in your heart in 2010!

Thursday's Terrific Tips - Winter's Here!

As Winter settles in, here are some terrific tips to make you and your car a little happier this Winter!

Keep your headlights clear with car wax! Just wipe ordinary car wax on your headlights. It contains special water repellents that will prevent that messy mixture from accumulating on your lights - lasts 6 weeks.

Squeak-proof your wipers with rubbing alcohol! Wipe the wipers with a cloth saturated with rubbing alcohol or ammonia. This one trick can make badly streaking & squeaking wipers change to near perfect silence & clarity.

Ice-proof your windows with vinegar! Frost on it's way? Just fill a spray bottle with three parts vinegar to one part water & spritz it on all your windows at night. In the morning, they'll be clear of icy mess. Vinegar contains acetic acid, which raises the melting point of water---preventing water from freezing!

Prevent car doors from freezing shut with cooking spray! Spritz cooking oil on the rubber seals around car doors & rub it in with a paper towel. The cooking spray prevents water from melting into the rubber.

Fog-proof your windshield with shaving cream! Spray some shaving cream on the inside of your windshield & wipe if off with paper towels. Shaving cream has many of the same ingredients found in commercial defoggers.

De-ice your lock in seconds with hand sanitizer! Just put some hand sanitizer gel on the key & the lock & the problems solved!

Who knew, some simple solutions to make life easier! Enjoy the Winter!