glassybaby tales

Let it Snow... glassybaby Lolling in the Sun... Getting Ready with Reds and Pinks

 

 

Oh, the weather outside is frightful!

 

 

Seattle has had its share of atmospheric ice crystals lightly falling to the ground so far during this brand new 2012. The skiers are delirious! Wonder what Father Winter has in store for us the rest of the season.

Ernie and I had a fine time with friends and the dogs during the first, lovely frosting on the 15th. Snowball fights and making angels but best of all keeping our drinks cold(-er) on the fence, in what else but (ahem) glassybaby 'alice' drinkers. (Did you know that 10% from the sale of all drinkers will be donated to the Seattle Division of V.A. Puget Sound to support veterans battling cancer?)

Then before the big daddy of snowstorms hit on the 18th, I must admit we got out of Dodge (just barely). The storm was licking our heels! We headed to Naples, Florida to spend time with the bestest friends you could ever have. The Gulf has never looked lovelier than it did from the veranda of Jack and Vickie's gracious home as we basked in the light of glassybaby by night and baked (excuse me, but we were collecting our Vitamin D) in the gaze of Sir Sol by the pool and beach by day.

Here is a glimpse at what an agreeable time the 'love our oceans' set had lolling on the deck looking out to sea.  The colors are 'dolphin', 'ocean', and 'safe'.

 

 

But this beautiful aqua set does more than lounge around. It is a most industrious, worker-bee set. As stated on our website: "10% from the sale of each 'love our oceans' set will be donated to assist Conservation International in its efforts to protect important places around the world, like our beautiful oceans, which support the greatest diversity of life on Earth."

I'll be back in Dodge... er, Seattle... very soon and will have some moving and inspiring glassybaby tales to share. One about a most extraordinary little girl.

Word has it our hot shop is turning out lots of reds, pinks, and purples just in time for all those throbbing hearts to profess their love on All Cupids Day!

Reiterating, I behoove you to stay warm all you dear souls in chilly climes. We will be there shortly.

Love to all our glassybaby friends.

Until next time,

Alice

aliceblog@glassybaby.com

 

 

 

 

 

Winter Landscape... Light glassybaby and a Fire... Hands-on Events for Winter Fun

Winter is on my head, but eternal spring is in my heart.
~Victor Hugo~

Just look at this gorgeous neutral palette of glassybaby that was displayed at the Madrona store. The soothing colors, soft as a winter landscape, are: 'brother', 'wingman', 'wings', 'haze', 'halo' and 'chatham'.  

They make me want to relax and light some glassybaby and a fire.

I am reminded of another quote, this one from British poet Edith Sitwell:

"Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home."

(I find myself smiling for I know it is she who also famously said, "I have often wished I had time to cultivate modesty... But I am too busy thinking about myself.") Ha!

You won't be too busy thinking about yourself if you plan a "hands-on" glassybaby glassblowing event for your corporate team or for friends. Winter is the perfect time to accomplish that.

You and your guests will work one on one with a glassybaby glassblower to create your own distinctive work of art. You will be working with molten glass on a blowpipe and see "how it's done" firsthand using the bench, marver, blocks, and jacks. Talk about winter fun! Get your creative juices going. Email us at events@glassybaby.com to set youself up for a unique gathering you won't forget.

Anna reports from the Bellevue store that a lovely lady came in to buy 22 glassybaby for her guests who were coming to town for her retirement party. She had a marvelous time plucking gb from the shelves and bought two of many colors including: 'new fern', 'hide and seek', 'forever', 'pumpkin', 'great oak' and several others. She then bought two new drinkers for herself. She left a very happy lady, excited to give her gifts of light and warmth.

Don't forget the Seconds Sale at the Madrona store on Saturday, January 28. Doors will open at 9:00am this year instead of 10:00. Be there or be square. (I just had to say that!)

Stay warm, everyone

Until next time,

Alice

aliceblog@glassybaby.com

Winning Smile... Lively Colors, Teams and Soup... Sundance Roadshow

Check out that winning smile.  We are so proud of Lee!  On Wednesday she accepted her award for Entrepreneur magazine's Entrepreneur of 2011. What an accomplishment. The crowd, 700 people strong, gave her a standing ovation. That was a first for the annual event.  Now the question is: where to put that beauty! It will charm all who pass by. Congratulations to our bighearted, magnificent founder.  Her altruistic dream became glassybaby which has helped ease the circumstances of so many in need. 

What do you think of when you ponder mid-winter?  Snow? Maybe. Frozen birdbaths? Possibly. Short gray days? Sometimes. But what is the one focus that is as inevitable as, say, your falling toast consistently landing butter side down? You guessed it.  The NFL playoffs and the mother of all contests... the Super Bowl!!

My Ernie has been a lifelong New York Giants fan. His zeal for them is only surpassed by his passion for the Seahawks. glassybaby luminary, Tracy, has a fervent enthusiasm for the Green Bay Packers, and among others, these teams will go head to head this weekend in preparation for the final event on     February 5th.

Not only will I put together a big kettle of "Hearty Hodge-Podge" my go-to winter soup (recipe follows) but also I will decorate the table with the appropriate team colors. Now let's see...

The Giants' glassybaby line-up might look like this with 'forever', rudolph', and arthur':

The Green Bay end of the table will be adorned just so with 'kelly', 'goldenrod', and 'hope':

Such perky, lively colors! May the livliest team win!

 

Alert! Alert! Another glassybaby roadshow is coming up.

This Thursday, January 19th, we will be in Park City, Utah, at the Sundance Film Festival.  Come join us at the Park City Utah Cole Sport from 5-8pm, 1615 Park Avenue, 84060. A donation of 10% of all sales from this event will go to People's Health Clinic - Park City.  We will be glad to see you there.

Have a great week and here is that hearty soup recipe.

Until next time,

Alice

aliceblog@glassybaby.com

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HEARTY HODGE-PODGE
 SERVES 8-10 

6 slices bacon

1 medium onion thinly sliced

2 lb. center cut beef shank (can add extra stew meat)

2 15oz. cans garbanzo beans (undrained)

3 cups diced potatoes (4 medium) (I like Yukon Gold)

2 cloves garlic minced

10 oz. link kielbasa polish sausage, thinly sliced

6 cups water

2 tsp sea salt

 

Cook bacon, reserve 2 Tbsp drippings.  Crumble bacon and set aside.

Add onions to drippings and cook until tender.

Add beef bone and 6 cups of water and 2 tsp sea salt.

Cover and simmer 1 and 1/2 hours.

Remove meat from bone and dice.

Skim fat.

Return meat to soup.

Add undrained beans, potatoes, and garlic.

Simmer covered 30 minutes.

Add sausage and bacon.

Cover and simmer 15 minutes more.

Enjoy with crusty bread, a green salad and a nice chianti!