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Star Light, Star Bright – Energy Star, that is…

Now that we’ve entered the darkest time of year, it seems appropriate to address the issue of lighting in our homes. We can all do our part to help our enviornment, by changing over standard incandescent lightbulbs, to CFL’s (Compact Fluorescent Lamps).

The U.S. Enviornmental Protection Agency & Department of Energy have created ENERGY STAR rating for products that meet government standards to save energy & help the enviornment.  When it comes to lighting, ”ENERGY STAR qualified bulbs use about 75 percent less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer“.

At Always-Free-Shipping.com, we sell ENERGY STAR qualified CFL’s . We carry 4 different types of CFL bulbs to replace the most commonly used incandescent bulbs in  home settings. For a complete guide to energy efficient home lighting, check out: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=cfls.pr_cfls”>ENERGY .

This official site explains everything you need to know about the enviornment and home lighting; best fixtures to change, lighting brightness options, energy and energy bill savings, and a whole lot more.

Have a BRIGHT, Happy, Healthy Holiday Season! I’ll be back again to blog with you in 2008!

Did you know…?

Welcome to an early edition of “Did you know…?”

Did you know…  ENERGY STAR qualified lighting provides bright, warm light but uses about 75% less energy than standard lighting, produce 75% less heat, and lasts up to 10 times longer.  Replace your highest used light bulbs with our Energy Star rated models. Save yourself some money and help save the planet in the process!

Hannah Montana Happenings

Disclaimer – I don’t have teenage kids, so I am not up on all the Hannah Montana hype. What I do know is that this wildly popular tv star/singer was in town this past weekend. Despite bad weather, fans from all over came to see her. Even the national news was here. They did a double story – one on the show and one on the nasty weather up north. I was taking a break from shoveling when I saw that our city had made it on ABC. Go Rochester!

P.S. If you were in one of the snow belt areas, I hope you made it through one of what is sure to be many storms. I use the Electric Snow Thrower to get through a lot of our snow falls. It’s especially helpful for clearing your sidewalk.

P.S.S. This is my last blog of 2007. It’s been fun chatting with you all. 2008 should be full of more wit, wisdom and product reviews from our whole team. As always, we welcome your comments anytime. Also, please make our newest blogger Art feel at home!
Until next time… Ann

“Few things are as democratic as a snowstorm.”
- Bern Williams

Hagerty products

Hagerty has been around since 1895.  Their breakthrough products were their line of silver care items.  Popularity spread across the U.S. and into 60 other countries.  But silver care isn’t all they care about.  They also have developed an excellent line of other home care products.  One of their best is the Dry Shampoo.  I have a rug that my grandmother gave me.  It’s an old Oriental rug that I really like but over the years it’s become soiled.  I was told, due to its age, that I should not use a wet carpet cleaner, because it could deteriorate its quality.  Someone said that the suction of a carpet shampooer could ruin it completely.  I bought the Dry Shampoo and used it. What difference.  The carpet looks brand new.  I would recommend using this quality product on quality rugs.

As always, Art

Did you know…?

Welcome to another edition of “Did you know…?”

Did you know…  that despite their reputation for ruining clothing, most adult moths do not eat at all.  When they do eat, moths will drink nectar.  Only one species of moth eat wool, known as the Clothes moth.  It is only the young larvae or caterpillars of the moths which do the damage.  Luckily, cedar is a natural moth deterrent.  Check out our Moth Control Products and prevent your clothing from becoming a larvae feast. 

Too much stuff too little cupboard

I’m so glad that I got the cookware rack. Every time I would open the cupboard, the largest cupboard in my kitchen, it was like the running of the bulls. Pans, lids, cookie sheets, and muffin pans would bombard my kitchen floor. I was getting sick of it. So I ordered the bake and cookware lid rack, free of shipping, of course. It works wonders. Everything is in neat order. I can actually find the lids and accessories I need. It’s fantastic. I think that a lot of people have clutter problems in the kitchen, especially with those hard to store pans. Here’s the answer. It’s a problem solver and a grace saver.

As always, Art.

P.S. It fit in my cupboard perfectly.

Ironing is required

I do quite a bit of travel.  My friends and family all live at distances of more than 3 hours, and that’s the shortest drive!  It’s difficult sometimes to keep shirts and pants from getting wrinkled during travel, especially if you have a few events to attend in one weekend.  Thats where the Ironing Blanket comes in.  It works terrificly.  It rolls up and stores easily and can be used virtually anywhere.  I have been using it to keep my clothes looking like they were just dry cleaned and pressed professionally.  With so many Christmas parties and other holiday events to go to, it’s a must have for the person on the go.  It would make a great gift item too!

As Always,  Art.

No More Reindeer Games

I made the cutest reindeer cookies (see pic below) this weekend. They came out a little too crumbly, but I was still pleased. I used our oven gloves to take them out of the oven. These gloves are so much better than oven mitts. They allow you to get a real grip on hot items. You also now get 2 of them instead of one (love that!). I have even used them to change lightbulbs.

How are all your holiday preparations going? Good I hope. My shopping is done

Until next time… Ann

“A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand” – author unknown

Bathing Silverware Saves Time

Last night I prepared for tonight’s family Chanukah dinner. I made latkes and applesauce, and then gave my tarnished silverware a hot bath… No really!

My grandmother used to clean her set of everyday silverware in a pot of boiling water with a large piece of aluminum foil, then she’d add lots of salt. I remember being amazed as a child, watching the tarnish transfer from the forks, spoon & knives right to the tin foil – it would actually turn black!

We now have something better, and even easier…                       QwickSilver Metal Polishing Plate goes right into your sink. Add hot water, and about 1/4 cup of QwickSilver Activator, then the silver pieces. This is the same principle that my Grandmother used, but it cleans tarnish more thoroughly, and it leaves a polished shine. I inherited her silverware, and it looks better than ever!

QwickSilver works great for any silver pieces – bathe your gold too.  I use QwickSilver for jewelry. It’s a lot less tedious than trying to polish tiny chains and intricate pieces. When bathed items are rinsed & dry, simply spray them with Hagerty Polishing Spray for tarnish protection.

Happy Hannukah form my house to yours.

Perfect Pizzelles

The cooking season is in full swing. I’m more of a baker than a cook. I like to make cupcakes, brownies, cakes, etc. This year I am going to try a new cookie recipe and an old favorite (pizzelles). Pizzelles are a traditional Italian waffle cookie. They are flavored with anise, lemon or vanilla. You can also make a chocolate version. The tricky thing with pizzelles is the cooking. You make them in a special pizzelle maker. You have to time it “just so” or they come out burnt or too soft. I use the Yellow Timer On A Rope to time each batch. Perfect pizzelles – yum, yum! Here’s a pizzelle recipe for you to try. Happy baking!

Until next time… Ann

“Think what a better world it would be if we all, the whole world, had cookies and milk about three o’clock every afternoon and then lay down on our blankets for a nap.”

- Robert Fulghum

Pizzelles
1 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 bottle anise oil or 2 tsp pure anise extract
3 3/4 cups flour
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder

Combine first 6 ingredients. Add flour, baking soda & baking powder.

Heat pizzelle iron. Place about 1 T of batter on each section of the pizzelle iron.

Cook for about 30 – 35 seconds, or until golden. Makes approx. 6 dozen, depending on iron size.