The 3/50 Project

I work in retail in Park City, Utah for a lovely couple .... a true mom and pop business which is a rarity today with all the competition from the big box stores. All the shop owners I know are really struggling just to keep their doors open and to earn a living. Many have closed their doors.

Lately we have had a lot of "customers" come in to "just look" and then go home to make their purchases online to save a few dollars and sales tax. They don't seem to understand (or care) that there is a lot of overhead to run a business, and if they don't start supporting their local small businesses they will no longer have store fronts to visit.

Just yesterday, a man called and wants to return a sculpture that his wife got him for Christmas. She was a last minute shopper and called and needed it shipped out express. So yes, we wrapped it, boxed it, and mailed it for only a $10 fee which didn't nearly cover our costs. Since they live in Utah, they also had to pay sales tax. He now wants the shipping cost refunded too, because he doesn't like the gift that she got him and wants a different one. Then to add insult to injury, he wants us to match an online price that he found. I tried to explain to him that online "stores" don't have any overhead so they can afford to sell way below a fair market price and if that is how he chooses to shop it is his prerogative. I haven't heard back or seen him to know what he has decided.

We and other small business deal with this mentality on a daily basis and it is hard to be polite and cheerful when you just want to scream. There is a movement going on by Cinda Baxter, a retail consultant. It is called the 3/50 Project, and I hope everyone who reads this takes it to heart and passes it on to their friends, relatives and acquaintances. If we as Americans don't consciously make some changes, our quaint and unique small businesses will just be a fond memory.

The Extinction of Wedding Gift Etiquette

So, what is the new rule regarding thank you notes for wedding gifts, or for that matter, any gift? Maybe I am old school, but I am under the assumption that every gift given requires a hand written
note.

It is amazing to me that couples spend months and even years planning for their big day. As soon as the engagement is announced; friends, relatives and acquaintances are inundated with "save the date" announcements, shower invitations, and finally the wedding invitation (they may or may not make the cut for the reception). All of these scream "You have to get me a present!" Every bridal magazine spells out the rules: who pays for what, the time line, and YES thank you notes. The stationary usually is coordinated with the invitations and reply cards. Does the couple just decide up front that they can save some money if they don't buy the thank you notes or do they have boxes of them and just wonder what they are for?

We were invited to a wedding last Spring. I spent quite a bit of time, energy and money picking out something that they would hopefully like, wrapped it and mailed it. Fortunately I paid extra for a delivery confirmation because that is the only way that I know they actually received it. (I had a premonition.) I suggest that everyone that mails gifts be sure to get the confirmation. Otherwise you wonder: Did it get lost in the mail? Do they think I stiffed them on their wedding present? And most importantly you don't have to call to see if they got it thus avoiding the awkwardness of the implication that the happy couple has no manners.

Mailing gifts with confirmation may be the best way to go even if you attend the big event. We went to two wedding a few years ago. For both we brought their gifts to the reception and placed them on the overflowing gift table. Again, no thank you notes...we wondered it someone stole some of the presents. To this day I don't know....

Fabulous Handmade Hats on Etsy

I posted another treasury on etsy. This one is all hats. Check it out!

An Etsy Treasury of Fabulous Pillows

I have created another treasury on etsy. This one is full of handmade pillows. Check it out!

Project Night Night

I stumbled across this website and thought I would pass it along. It is always shocking to see the numbers of homeless in this country. I plan to make up some blankets....hope others will too!


http://www.projectnightnight.com/

"There are approximately 298,000 homeless families in the United States.* Currently, there are more homeless children in the U.S. than at any other time since
the Great Depression. Nonetheless, family homelessness often goes unseen as most homeless families do not live on the street.** Instead, most homeless
families are transient, living in shelters, in cars, in hotels in the city’s poorest neighborhoods, or staying with friends or family members.*** These environmental
stresses negatively influence a child’s early experiences and often lead to an increase in mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, poor sleep
habits,
and behavioral issues."

"To ease the anxiety associated with shelter living, Project Night Night distributes Night Night Packages to homeless children ages 0-10. Each Night Night
Package includes an age-appropriate book, a baby blanket which can be cuddled, and a stuffed animal which can become a cherished friend. Finding comfort
is vitally important for children in order to feel secure, loved, and valued – even in the midst of the upheaval and uncertainty attendant to homelessness."

--

Altruistic Artist...... Another EtsyTreasury

I have created another treasury on etsy today. This time I have chosen artists that donate a portion of their sales to charity. Check out their items, and if you can...buy something and support them and a charity at the same time !

My First Etsy Treasury

Finally got it together, timed it right, picked some of my favorite etsy items and posted them in a treasury. This time I chose an assortment of autumn inspired items. There is a lot of talent and creativity out there! Check out My Treasury ....I'd love to hear your comments.

Autumn on Mirror Lake Highway

The other day we took a drive to see the "colors" on Mirror Lake Highway. It is one of my favorite places it the area, especially in the winter to cross country ski. It was a beautiful day and since it is snowing now, a good time to go.

Lone Aspen

I never see any actual wildlife.

Provo Falls

Best Burger In the State?

On the way to Mirror Lake we decided to stop for an early lunch at High Mountain Drug in Kamas, Utah. Their hamburgers have been voted "best in state" this year, so we figured we should give them a try.

The burgers were cooked well....tender and juicy. The bun was fresh and the cheese gooey. My only complaint was that mine was a bit heavy on the mustard...next time I would request less.
We also had a side of the fresh cut fries. They looked nice and golden brown but they were soft and greasy. Even with the under cooking (or maybe the oil wasn't hot enough) they tasted good. I think they would be fabulous if prepared correctly.
High Mountain Drug is like a step back in time...quaint and reminiscent of simpler times. The setting alone is worth a visit...it is well worn but clean and welcoming.
So, do their burgers deserve the title of "Best in State"? I'm not sure about that, but they are as good as any others we have tried so far.

It Is Getting Colder Here....And I Finally Posted My Berets on Etsy

So, I started embroidering these berets last winter with the intent of selling them. By the time I got one done it was almost spring and not a good time to present them to the public. After all, who wants a wool hat in the summer? At this time I have three done and one in the works. You can check them out at my Etsy store.

Hogle Zoo

After living in Utah for ten years now, we finally made a trip to the zoo. It was a perfect day, weather wise, and since it was a Tuesday, not crowded. We got there early, because that was when we were told the baby tigers were most likely to be awake and playing. They were out and romping, but at quite a distance from the viewing area. We did get "up close" with the grown male tiger though (that's him in the photo).
I have only been to a handful of zoos (Bronx, Philadelphia, Washington DC and Fort Wayne) and am no expert, but I think that if Utah wants to have a zoo, they should throw some funding their way to make it nicer for the animals. Painting a mural on the wall does not a natural habitat make...I doubt the animals are fooled.

My First Etsy Sale

It has finally happened...I had my first sale on Etsy. It took me a long time to finally get some things posted. And since then it has been a waiting game. Many people have looked and "hearted" my shop and items....which is nice for the ego...but does nothing for the pocketbook.
Running an Etsy shop is a lot of work and takes a lot of time, of which I haven't had enough of lately. So today is a good day, and has motivated to get some more items listed! Just in case anyone is interested, you can see me at my etsy shop.