Pumpkin Torte

This dessert was inspired by our 3 year old. One night he and I made a pumpkin pie for Papa. I let him eat some of the pie filling straight out of the can. He loved it so much that when he was given a piece of pie the next day he told his Papa that he liked it better the night before! What you need:

• 1 package of mini graham cracker pie crusts
• 1 small box of vanilla pudding, prepared
• 1 small can of pumpkin pie filling
• 1/2 container of cool whip

Directions:

• Put one large spoonful of pudding in the bottom of each pie crust. Spoon pie filling over it. Top with a dollop of cool whip.
• Enjoy!

New page devoted to The Christmas Tree Ship

The new page includes my original article first printed in one of our newsletters a few years ago, two videos of the Rouse Simmons (the Christmas Tree Ship) 165 feet beneath the surface of Lake Michigan, and links to other Christmas Tree Ship related websites. It is amazing to see the Christmas trees scattered across the ship's deck and in it's hold in the videos. There are actually still needles attached to the branches. Almost eerie in a way.

Check out The Christmas Tree Ship

Michigan crate from Tastes of Michigan gift basket now available

Many of you have expressed an interest in simply purchasing the Michigan crate that holds all of the goodies in our Tastes of Michigan Gift Basket. Well, we have listened and the Michigan Crate is available (albeit without the yummy goodies).

For $24 you can have your very own Michigan mitten crate or send it with whatever you want inside as a gift. We make these crates right here in our wood shop. Evidently some people have asked and, no, we do not outsource these from China or anywhere else.

Just like the rest of our products we are proud to offer - it's made right here in Michigan.

Detroit Thanksgiving Parade video circa 1973

I found this old footage of the J.L. Hudson Thanksgiving Day Parade on YouTube a few weeks ago. I'm not sure how it was that I stumbled upon it, but I thought it was a neat peak at Detroit's past.

Here are some related links from the Detroit Free Press: Parade is a family affair About the parade America's Thanksgiving Parade

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Christmas Gift Baskets are here

We have uploaded our Christmas Gift Basket selection and have a couple more that will be made available in the next few weeks. We've added some new products to our excellent lineup of Michigan products - Cinnamon Roasted Pecans (oh man, these are great!), Honey Mustard, Gourmet Butter Twist Pretzels (even tastier when dunked in the Honey Mustard), Blueberry Muffin Mix, Cherry Muffin Mix, and assorted candies from Sanders. View our Christmas-themed gift baskets.

Our 2007 Christmas Shipping Calendar is also updated and you can view it here. Basically, the last day you can order a basket with Priority Mail shipping is December 17th as we will need to ship the gift baskets no later than December 18th to ensure a Christmas delivery.

November's Featured Basket is the Quick & Easy Gift Box. From now until November 30th shipping is included in the price of this basket.

The Quick and Easy Gift Box is a great gift whether you are shopping for someone who can be difficult to shop for or someone who is easy to please. Delicious cinnamon roasted pecans, chocolate gold rush popcorn (caramel corn with regular and white chocolate drizzled throughout), dried blueberries, butter rum coffee, honey mustard and butter twist pretzels fill this box to the top. - $36.79

Get some extra cash for Christmas

I just received a postcard in the mail about an eBay Day clinic in Constantine, Michigan. The free event on Tuesday, November 20 is open to the public, but you must register due to limited class sizes. The sessions will take place at the Constantine Village Hall. My postcard said that you should register at the White Pigeon Post Office, but I wonder if the Constantine Post Office is another place for registration. You can also register by phone at 483-9016.

There are two sessions each lasting approximately 2 hours. The first session is from 2-4 pm and the second session is at 6-8pm.

You get a "start up" packet that includes a Get Started CD from eBay. The classes will teach you:

• How to open an account
• How to Buy
• How to Sell
• The fees involved
• How to Ship

It would certainly be a great way for folks to learn how to get rid of some clutter around the house and make some extra cash for Christmas.