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December 2006 Newsletter There are no words to express the total shock that I am in regarding the holiday season. It seems like we were just sweltering in 110 degree heat. Now, the tree is up, the lights are shining, and the cookies are in the oven. In this newsletter, we will show you some ideas for giving hostess or teacher gifts. You all know me by now…..they will include food…..they will be easy……they will be fun, and you can do them with your kids. See the “Holiday Gift Giving from Your Kitchen” section of the newsletter for details. Special Offers -- Our special offer for December reminds you that we absolutely love referrals. Our business is growing because of you. So refer a friend and receive $10 off your next class with their paid enrollment. Don’t forget to cash in your $5 discount. Check your brochure in the mail for details. Gift Certificates - If you know people that are difficult to buy for, why not give them a gift certificate to Simply Impressive. Let them choose the classes that best suit them. Don’t forget that we also schedule private lessons. If you order your gift certificates before 12/15, you will have no problems receiving the certificates before Christmas. Call or e-mail us for details. Recipes – We are being published in various newspapers, magazines and TV websites. We strive to add links to the locations on our website, when possible, but will also try to place all the recipes under our recipes page on our site. Brochures - Our annual brochure mailing went out last week. If you did not receive one and would like a brochure mailed to you, please let us know. If we do not have your address, make sure to provide that to me. December Classes – There’s something for everyone in our upcoming December classes. Remember that our Saturday classes are held from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. during December so you can enjoy your class and still put on your party clothes for the evening. There’s still time to enroll in our Cookie Basics class on Sat 12/2. We will make 3 great cookies and use one of the doughs to make a few different kinds of cookies. Start your cookie baking now. The cost is $58 per person. To learn to make caramel, turtles, truffles and more, attend our Simple Candy Making class on 12/6 or 12/9. The turtles are so good they will ‘curl your toes’. The cost is $58 per person. We have a special encore presentation of our Holiday Appetizers class on Tuesday, 12/12 at 9:30 a.m. If you who missed it the first time we held it, now is your chance to sign up. We will make 7 appetizers that can be made ahead so you can enjoy your own party. The cost is $63 per person. We will be making nut brittle, peppermint bark and a few other candies at our More Simple Candy Making class on 12/13 and 12/16. These candies are perfect for holiday gift giving. And I have a fantastic way to use peanut brittle that will make you eat your veggies. It’s worth coming to the class just for that tidbit of information!!! The cost is $58 per person. At our Meatless Holiday Meals class on 12/20 only, you will prepare mini crab quiches, cioppino with shrimp, scallops, mussels, clams and lots more. We will also be making a fantastic dessert fit for a holiday dinner as well as a few side dishes. This class is $75 per person and is perfect for those who do not eat meat on Christmas Eve or anyone wanting a meatless meal. Upcoming classes – We know that by the time the holiday season is over, you do not want to look at fattening food ever again….or at least for a few weeks. That’s why in January we feature four classes with healthy menus. Also check out the Chili 3 Ways class. While it is not a ‘healthy cooking’ class, per se, there are two items on the menu that are very healthy. See our website, call or e-mail us for details. Aprons and Shirts – We have had requests for aprons and golf shirts with the Simply Impressive logo. If you are interested in ordering any, please let me know. I will give you the details. The aprons are attractive and will make a wonderful holiday gift, along with a gift certificate to Simply Impressive, of course. Because the aprons and shirts are custom made for you, it is helpful to get as much lead time as possible, so please inform us soon. Simply Impressive Cooking School – On TV –Watch for us on AZ TV (Channel 13) on 12/5 at 10:00 a.m. for a segment on cookie baking. We will be mixing up one dough to make three different cookies. Suzanne Bissett from Channel 3’s Everyday Entertaining segment was here making turtles with me a few days ago. We still do not have the exact air date for our Everyday Entertaining segment on Channel 3, but think it is either 12/5or 12/6 at 4:40 and 5:40 p.m. We’ll get you the exact date when set. If you missed our TV spots, links to some of them can be found on our website. Our website – Refer to out our website often at www.simplyimpressive.com. We will use that space to let you know what’s happening and to update class information. Mailing List – If you know anyone who would like to be on our mailing list, please forward this newsletter to him or her and let us know so that we can add him or her to the list. Savor the Holidays -- Try to keep the stress down at this, the most stressful time of year. Remember the reason for the season, and savor every minute. Have a great December and don’t forget to expand your cooking horizons. Holiday Gift Giving From Your Kitchen Those of you who know me know that I show I care by giving gifts from the kitchen. The gifts can be anything from flavored vinegars to cookies and candies. I always look for simple and creative ways to package these gifts. Last September, I needed to give out some candies for the Christmas season. (Yes, September, because the gifts were going to local magazines.) While I didn’t have too much trouble making the candy items, I did have trouble finding holiday packaging. So I turned on my creative juices and walked through the store aisles. I found green plastic pencil boxes. I just so happened to have some gold ribbon and holiday pics from last year. With that, I turned these pencil boxes into very attractive gift boxes. And, they cost about $1 each to make. So take a few minutes extra to make a gift for that special someone. And for those of you with kids in school, you can make wonderful teacher gifts with your kids. The ‘Cookies In A Jar’ mixes are wonderful craft gifts to make with your children and make great teacher gifts. The supplies you will need are quart size canning jars with lids, scrap fabric, ribbon or raffia, glue and paper. I have not made this one, but have received it as a gift and the cookies were wonderful. Cowboy Cookie Mix in a Jar, recipe from Phyllis at Allrecipes.com
1 1/3 cups
all-purpose flour Layer the ingredients in a 1 quart jar in the order given. Press each layer firmly in place before adding the next layer. Place a piece of holiday fabric over the jar and tie with raffia, if desired. Include a card with the following instructions: Cowboy Cookie Mix in a Jar 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease cookie sheets. 2. In a medium bowl, mix together 1/2 cup melted butter or margarine, 1 egg, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Stir in the entire contents of the jar. You may need to use your hands to finish mixing. Shape into walnut sized balls. Place 2 inches apart on prepared cookie sheets. 3. Bake for 11 to 13 minutes in the preheated oven. Transfer from cookie sheets to cool on wire racks.
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