Summer's End; Appetizer Edition

Or, a la recherche des hors d'oeuvres perdus.

When I look in my storage container drawer and notice I'm out of plastic, I know that it's time to clean out the fridge.  I threw out 1/8 of a brie wheel with Cranberry chutney baked in puff pastry, a little cream cheese mixed with fresh herbs and garlic (they were fresh in June....) some ricotta with green spots, a fuzzy lime wedge, one chicken drum stick (ditto spots) and some left over orange slices that had been soaked in Sangria back in July (the orange slices still smelled yummy.) Summer is over when the remains of all the parties are gone and the sink is full of plastic soaking in a weak bleach solution.

But we always have fabulous appetizers at Great Escape!   This year we're planning some morning amuse-bouches for early risers as well.  REGISTER to experience the great cooking of Fluke and her crew.

Upcycling again...

The other day I wrote about how upcycling is so new, spell check can't handle it.  But it's not so new that it doesn't have its own magazine!  Last Friday night at Barnes and Noble I noticed a magazine called"Reloved: The Creative Guide to Upcycling."  It was the first issue, and it's British.  There was only one idea in it that I hadn't seen on Pinterest before (but it's probably there.)  I'm going to make that idea and bring one to the Great Escape for the auction.  Maybe it will be a workshop next year!

This reminded me of one of my favorite comic strips, Calvin and Hobbes of blessed memory.  Calvin subscribes to Chewing magazine, which is devoted to the art and science of chewing gum and provides reviews of gum, the best clothing to wear while chewing....you get the picture.  Hobbes finds the magazine to be a waste of time and money.  When those strips came out, I was working for a magazine company that published Popular Photography, PC Magazine and other consumer publications.  Needless to say, those cartoons were posted on many bulletin boards around the company.

Anyhow, if you come to Great Escape, you can save the cost of subscribing to Reloved.  We'll show you how it's done!  REGISTER for Great Escape 2013, October 4 - 6.

True Confessions

Sometimes, when I am alone in my house, or when I have special guests I wear....

an apron.  (BTW it was originally a napron.  Like a napkin.  But 'a napron' got stuck together and cut apart on the wrong line.  Just saying.)  I have Christmas and Thanksgiving and hostess and chicken and frilly and. ... aprons.

Now the New York Times says it's cool.  (Sigh of relief.)  See the article here:  Kitchen Apron Style.

If you want to wear one at Great Escape, we're behind you 100%.  In fact, I might let you wear one of mine.

REGISTER  for the 2013 Great Escape, October 4 - 6.

Auction Gift Basket Themes

 This is going to be a long, long post so let's get the end message out of the way; REGISTER for Great Escape 2013, October 4-6.

At Great Escape, we have silent and live auctions, to benefit our GSEM camps.  We ask people to create and bring gift baskets to be auctioned on Saturday night after dinner.  But, you say, how am I to think of a theme for a gift basket?  Fear not. Here are 99 themes for gift baskets.  Some are much better than others, but I'm sure there must be one that would light your fire of creativity!

99 Gift Basket Themes

1. New baby
2. Baskets for Pets
3. New Mom
4. Christmas
5. Easter
6. Valentine's Day
7. Corporate
8. Wine Lovers
9. Fundraising
10. Sympathy
11. Get Well
12. Cookie Lovers
13. New Dad
14. Cheese
15. Ravelers / Fiber Artist (see the Ravelry website.)
16. Nut Lovers
17. Engagement
18. Mexican
19. New Years Eve
20. Hanukkah
21. Boss's Day
22. Tea Lovers
23. Relaxation
24. Gardener's
25. Beach
26. Bachelor(ette) Party
27. Basketball Players
28. Football Players
29. Aromatherapy
30. Ice Cream Lovers
31. Teacher
32. New Job
33. Lottery
34. Baptism
35. Golfers
36. Graduation
37. Mother's Day
38. Father's Day
39. Birthday
40. Wedding
41. Fruit
42. Gourmet Food
43. Patriotic
44. Coffee Lovers
45. Italian
46. Flower
47. Anniversary
48. Food
49. Thank You
50. Apology
51. Movie
52. Music
53. Spices
54. Bon Voyage
55. Secretary's Day
56. Grandparent's Day
57. St. Patrick's Day
58. Baker
59. Crafter
60. Fudge Lovers
61. Bridge Players
62. Handyman
63. Organic Foods
64. Skiers
65. Soup Lovers
66. Snack
67. Divorce
68. Get Well
69. New Home
70. Romance
71. Chocolate Lovers
72. Pasta Lovers
73. Fondue
74. Sugar Free/ Diabetic
75. Spa
76. Popcorn
77. Kids
78. Bath
79. Candle
80. Book
81. Beer Lover's
82. Retirement
83. Dog
84. Cat
85. Champagne
86. Picnic
87. Herbs
88. Barbecue Lovers
89. Bowlers
90. Over the Hill
91. Car Lovers
92. Bagel Lovers
93. Hangover
94. Balloons
95. Congratulations
96. Spicy Foods
97. Toy
98. Coin Collectors
99. Coach

What is Upcycling?

Deb writes:  If you've looked at the GE workshop list (here) you'll see that two, this year, are about upcycling materials.  Upcycling is an addition to the Reduce-Reuse-Recycle mantra that all GS are familiar with.

Upcycling (a term so new that spellcheck doesn't recognize it) is re-using a common material to make a fancier article.  I will be teaching a workshop on how to convert common tee-shirts into glamorous items - not just grocery bags, but jewelry and elegant apparel. Last winter I wore one of my creations to a restaurant and the waitress could not stop exclaiming at how different and eye-catching it was! I won't tell you more, come and be surprised at how easy it is to upgrade your wardrobe and make great gifts for others.

Sue will be turning plastic grocery bags - and we all have a stash of those! - into - well - I don't really know what she'll make but I have seen some of the possibilities she's come up with, so I am sure the class will be fabulous.

REGISTER here and join us - learn something new!

Pysanky Egg Workshop!

Louise writes: I love experimenting with the colors for my Pysanky eggs just as much as I love dying Easter eggs.  I find geometric designs easier to work with but have created my own design.  The glossy finish gives it that final touch of the true work of art that it is.  Check out the website below to see how the process works, for some design ideas, and the meaning of colors and symbols.  Then come and play!

Eggs!

REGISTER! for GE

See Louise's work!

My First Live Auction: The Perfect Picnic Basket

Danielle writes:  My first Great Escape was my first experience with a live auction. I didn't know what to expect, but I brought my check book just in case. Kaye, the auctioneer, encouraged the crowd with her fabulous bid-calling. A few items piqued my interest, but I didn't win anything at first.

Then I saw it. Someone had donated an antique wooden picnic basket filled with DVDs and candy, but I only had eyes for the basket. It was exactly like one my mom had.  I knew I had to have it. I bid, there was a counter bid, I bid again, another counter, I upped the ante, and -- finally! -- it was all mine. The basket lives in my living room and makes occasional picnic trips with me. Every time I look at it I think of my mom and of my first Great Escape. It makes a great story when people say, "Oh my, where did you get that?!"

Don't forget to REGISTER for GE 2013, October 4 - 6.

Service Team Retreats

How important is your Service Team to the success of your town or city’s Girl Scout program?  Others may not realize how hard the SU team works, but we do!  Enjoy the crisp fall New Hampshire air and Girl Scout camaraderie as you get to know each other better and make your plans for another successful year.

Sign up to join us for Great Escape Weekend! 

We offer quiet meeting space to accommodate your group at no extra charge!  If you like, GSEM facilitators will provide ideas for team-building games and activities.

Register at http://gsgreatescape.org/registration/

Contact Paula at gsgreatescape@yahoo.com. for more information on SU retreats.