Horizon of hope 2009 (WITH PICS)

Info on the 2009 Horizon of Hope baskets are out. This is the 15th year Longaberger has supported Horizon of Hope, you can find more info on Horizon of Hope by checking out this post.
This year will feature 2 baskets, one in the shape of an inkwell, the other a desk or vanity basket

There will also be pink pie plates, pink measuring cups and a fully lined Horizon of Hope tote, and the pink travel mug will be making a comeback (I'm excited!) The liners will be made in the USA 

I love pink, and support breast cancer awareness, so I'm super excited!

Cooking With Longaberger Pottery

Today I'd like to talk about cooking with Longaberger Pottery.

Longaberger's pottery is vitrified, which is why it's so durable. Vitrification is a process that begins with the very clay that the pottery is formed with, it involves such a high firing temperature that the clay actually begins to turn into glass.
The fact that the pottery is vitrified means that it is stronger than typical stoneware so that it can resist chipping, cracking and crazing (cosmetic cracks that still allow the piece to be used). Vitrification is also the reason that Longaberger pottery is safe for the dishwasher, oven, microwave and freezer. The process is also what makes Longaberger pottery so smooth and glassy, so cleanup is a cinch!

Longaberger pottery is done with a mold, but it is finished to remove the seams so that you can't tell, it is a hand touched, quality finish. Much of our pottery today is made in china, but we do have an American Made Fine Dinnerware line as well. It is currently in the plans to bring all of our pottery to American production. Any pottery made by Chinese suppliers will feature a blue and white CCIB sticker on the package which means that their factories are inspected and certified to be lead-free and that they perform regular lead-release testing on the products they import to the USA. So that means that Longaberger pottery is completely lead free. Longaberger also performs additional testing to certify that we meet FDA safety requirements as well as California Proposition 65 standards

Care and Usage Ideas:
-Longaberger pottery can be used in the oven, for best results please make sure the pottery is room temperature before putting it into a hot oven, you can move refrigerated pottery into a cold oven. This is due to the fact that our pottery is  oven safe, not oven proof.
-If you place your pottery into the freezer or oven prior to serving, it will keep cold foods cold or hot foods hot, we also sell oven bricks that you can put in the bottoms of baskets to keep warm things warm.
-Longaberger pottery should not be used on the stovetop, under the broiler or over an open flame, avoid extreme temperature changes Longaberger pottery is fired at temperatures in excess of 2000ºF, It can sustain any temperature your kitchen stove can dole out, but it must be heated evenly, which is why it can't be heated on the stovetop or under the broiler.

Integration:
-Longaberger pottery coordinates extremely well with our baskets, which means that protectors can be filled with ice and pottery nested inside for a chilly server, or the pottery can serve as dividers between dips and chips.
-Pottery that has been heated up to 400ºF Can be safely placed directly into Longaberger Baskets,
-Pottery that is 300ºF or less can be placed directly into baskets with liners
-hot pottery should never be placed directly into a plastic protector


Cleaning:
-For baked on goods, allow the pottery to soak in hot, soapy water and clean with a non abrasive scouring pad
-Metal utensils like beaters or whisks can cause black/gray marks on the surface of the pottery because the pottery is stronger than the metal in the utensils! These marks are easilly removed with a non abrasive cleaner like Bar Keeper's friend or Zud

I will be making more posts like this over the coming weeks to talk about all of our Longaberger products :)
-Missy

Sales for May

May is full of some great deals, I'll be posting some product uses and such for the baskets featured as the month goes on:

From may 1-15 guests and hostesses will receive FREE shipping on shwo orders received May 1-15. These must be ordered through show orders, which can be ordered by emailing me for more information. For products that will be eligible for free shipping you can look at the spring wishlist or the May flyer


The Spring Wishlist:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4

May Flyer:
Part 1
Part 2
If you choose to have a show, or collect some orders, for the month of May Longaberger has added more choices for Hostess Half Price rewards at the $350 level: The Woven Traditions 16 piece Starter set in round and square.

Free Sign Up:
Don't forget that May 4th is your chance to join the Longaberger Family FOR FREE + $10 shipping, by paying $10 you will get a Medium Market Basket ($72 value) and all the paperwork to get you started. If you want to try one of the larger kits, they will be $49 off.

For more info on why this is a great business move for you click here and here

Sale on the Pail Baskets
The nautically themed pail baskets are on sale for the month of may, you can save $11 on the small pail set (which puts it at $49) and you can save $15 on the Large Set (which puts it at $109) If you get the Large pail with the lid it's the SAME PRICE as the large set (an extra $4 of savings)
Collectors club members will save an additional $10 in May on the Large Pail with Lid
This basket is available in Bright Cornflower Blue, Warm Brown and Rich Brown.

May Bonus Buys-
Medium gathering Basket just $49
This basket fits the Baking dish or 2qt baking dish beautifully or you can center the large loaf dish with freshly made dip and breads and crackers around, or create a fruit and veggie tray with the 1pt crock or vegetable bowl for dips inside. It is also a great size for magazines, piano music, scrapbooking sheets and catalogs.
Great to carry sheet cakes as well.

One Day Only Sales:
WEDNESDAY MAY 6th ONLY
Save 50% on both the Woven Reflections 9" bowl and the Woven Reflections Server for $26 each, these are available only online at MyShop

Factory Store Sales, available by going to MyShop and clicking "shop homestead online and factory store"
For the month of may only there will be no surcharge on pottery purchased in the factory store.
May 5-11: Made In America Pottery Votive Cups, these are pottery votives that were made in America, they are available in cornflower blue, butternut yellow, paprika red, Ivory and Ivy only, you can mix and match your colors. They will be 2 for $15!

Wreath Baskets April 28-May 4
The Medium Wreath Basket is on sale for $59 (originally $92) the Large is $79 (originally $139)
you can find more uses from my site http://missysbaskets.blogspot.com/search?q=wreath

Mothers Day Treasure- May Series Daffodil Basket.
This basket was developed to honor Grandma Bonnie our founder's mother, a portion of the sales will go to the Grandma Bonnie Fund to help alleviate Hunger in Muskgingham county OH
On sale for $59 originally $90

One Day Only: Start your very own Longaberger Business FREE

Well I guess technically for $10 Shipping. But it's still AMAZINGLY worth it, If you sign up on May 4th you will get The Medium Market Basket (a $72 value) and all the paperwork you need to start earning money on your own time. You'll also be set up with your very own longaberger website store (www.longaberger.com/yourname Mine is www.longaberger.com/melissaisaacs) which will make you ready to start ASAP!

You can find more information about why you should join Longaberger here http://missysbaskets.blogspot.com/2009/04/join-longaberger-family-for-free-may.html
So come join my family!

Go to www.longaberger.com/melissaisaacs and click "Become a consultant" at the top :)
-Missy

Longaberger Supports Breast Cancer Study

Horizon of Hope is Longaberger's charitable line that supports breast cancer research, awareness and healthy living. Horizon of Hope started in 1995 as a partnership between The Longaberger Company, and the American Cancer Society. Every year Longaberger designs and creates a basket traditionally designed in Light Pink and White, or Brown, and $2 from every basket go to the American Cancer Society.

As of 2008 the campaign had raised nearly $13 million and provided approximately 19 million women with important and potentially life saving information. The money raised goes towards research and education to help win the fight against breast cancer. Specifically it tries to Improve the quality and access to mammography services, Improve breast imaging quality standards, improve the quality of clinical breast examination, improve the quality of life for young survivors and women with breast cancer recurrence. Horizon of Hope is also helping the American Cancer Society research Lymphedema, which is a chronic and debilitating swelling of the arm caused by the destruction of the lymphatic vessels during the removal of lymph nodes or damage to them by radiation.

Woven Together For Life

Wreath Basket Sale

Hey ya'll one of Longaberger's most versatile baskets for decorating and center peices and serving is on sale! You have until May 4th to grab one!

Contact Me

You can also find a LOT of uses for this basket on my site, both decorating and serving solutions!

http://missysbaskets.blogspot.com/search?q=wreath

-Missy

I use a service called statcounter which tells me the state and town of people who visit my site and what site they came from (twitter, google, safari search) and if they were using a search engine it tells me what their search terms were. It's pretty cool, and another blogger I read Julie, from Inmates to Playdates did a pretty cool post a while ago, she looked at what people were searching and helped them out a little bit, it was pretty cool.

Search Term: Shopping for Missys Market,
I might be a little self centered in imagining you were coming to my site. I sell Longaberger baskets(and pottery) and there are several ways to order, you can go to my website http://www.longaberger.com/melissaisaacs and shop online, or you can submit a show order which will allow you to earn discounts and products, to do the second option, you can ask me for wishbooks and flyers and I will mail them to you and you can share them with your friends and family and collect orders, you would then send the money in through paypal and I will put the order in through Longaberger :) If you have questions about either of these options you can contact me 

Search Term: Crescent Roll Pot Pie
This is my delicious recipe that I made for a cooking contest, which by the way, I took second place with!

Search Term: Longaberger Ladybug Basket
this is a really popular item apparently, it was a collectors club item for the gathering.

Search Term: "what is the safe oven temp for Longaberger Pottery"
Any temp is good, go to town, I mean I wouldn't necessarily be like 500 degrees bwuahahahaha but a normal baking temperature should be fine, you can also freeze, refrigerate and dishwash your pottery :)

-missy

Made In America Matters- Video

Longaberger added a really great inspirational video about how much American Made Matters, Meet some of the folks who make the products you serve your family on and organize your house with. These are your neighbors, your friends, and overall just some really nice people judging from the ones I've met. They have families and homes and they are wonderful
Thanks to the weavers, potters, carpenters and everyone else up at Longaberger!

Is Longaberger too expensive?

  Understandably in today's economy, people are having to tighten their belts a little and save their money. This relates to Longaberger as well, certainly our prices are higher than baskets you might find at the local Walmart or Kmart, but those baskets don't compare to our Handcrafted products made right here in America.
  For those who have never been to a Longaberger Home Party, please take your next opportunity to do so, free food for just listening to an awesome Longaberger Consultant tell you a little bit about herself and her passion (or his!) Attending a Home Party will allow you to see just how Longaberger can fit into your lifestyle. Longaberger is a product that is made to be used every day, it is sturdy and long lasting and clean up is super easy!
  One of my biggest reasons for selling Longaberger is the direct impact I am having to improve our nation's economy. Our baskets are Made in America and thus will have a direct impact on our economy. By purchasing American Made goods, we can directly help pay our neighbors paychecks, and they will in turn put more money back into ours.
  If you still want to support the Longaberger company but need a more budget friendly way to do it, here are a few options

1. Check out the Factory Store. The Factory Store is where Longaberger puts up baskets and products that they made too many of. These products are reduced in price and available at my website http://www.longaberger.com/melissaisaacs to get to the factory store, you just need to click the link on the left hand side that says "shop at the factory store/homestead online"
2. Take advantage of our sales Longaberger hosts several sales throughout each month usually including a one day super savings sale where you must order online through http://www.longaberger.com/melissaisaacs as well as items that can be added to show orders with your home consultant  I try to post all of our sales online when I can so if you're a follower of mine either through the follow button at the top right hand corner, or if you follow me through a reader, (also on the right hand side) you will be notified of our sales. If you are interested you can email me and I can email them straight to you. 

There are lots of items in our current wishbook that are less than $25 

Under $25

Woven Traditions 1pint crock ($12)

TWO woven traditions bread plates $25

Grandma Bonnie's Pie Plate $22

(NEW) Woven Traditions Measuring Cup $24

Set of 2 Woven Traditions Mugs ($22)

Wrought Iron Salt and Pepper Caddy ($15)

Soft Square salt and pepper shakers ($25)

2 Woven Traditions Soup and Salad Bowls ($22)

-Missy

Glass for Longaberger Picture Frames

On  April 22nd Longaberger just had a big sale for the picture frames,

If you purchased one, please make sure to check the box thoroughly, the glass for the frames is wrapped separately for safety and is easily missed, several customers have already thrown away the packaging without getting the glass out. The picture frames do come with glass, it's just kind of hidden...

-Missy

Join the Longaberger Family For FREE (May 4th)

May 4th Longaberger will be hosting a(nother) free consultant sign up. The date will be on May 4th, should you as a Longaberger Lover choose to sign up, you will earn everything you need to start your business, A market Basket and all the paperwork, all you'll be responsible for is the $10 shipping. That's basically a $100 offer, for $10 S&H. It's pretty awesome, and you get to keep the basket. 

Selling Longaberger is a great way to earn extra money, on your time, on your schedule. You'll earn free product, meet lots of new people and have a TON of fun! You'll also begin earning points with the MyDream system which could earn you a free vacation! Also if you qualify by your 30 Day success start date you and I will both earn some American Home Pottery, which is pottery that was designed and made in America by American crafters, it's some amazing pottery. Also you'll be sponsoring products made in America, Made In America Matters and Longaberger supports the American dream. By investing in American Made products the money is returned to the American Economy which creates new jobs and allows your neighbors to keep theirs (It is estimated that every american made product purchased creates 5 more American jobs).

It's a Family Thing

You may have heard about the Longaberger Family, which literally means the direct family of Dave and JW Longaberger who founded the business, Dave's daughter Tammy is the current CEO and her sister Rachel is also a high ranking member of the company handling the Longaberger foundation. The Longaberger family includes all of the consultants, branch leaders, National Sales Leaders and all employees of the Longaberger Company.

 

For me my Longaberger Family is my Branch, it includes my older sister, my grandmother and my mother (who is my Branch Leader)

By joining our branch you will be part of a fabulous team including several of my family members and close friends who won't let you down, we will support you every step of the way by providing you with business solutions and ideas including home party ideas, recipes, and many other fabulous business ideas to help your business grow and develop to its highest potential. Between my mom and I, we got you covered!

If you or someone you know would like to join my team, please let me know, you can contact me by clicking here

 Missy

crescent roll pot pie

Today's recipe uses the Longaberger Souper mug, or smaller pint crock, you can also use the little custard cups just divide the filling amongst them.

I entered a cooking contest here on campus on Sunday and this is what I made (well actually this picture is my test pie)

and I kind of forgot to take a picture before I tested it. But I hadn't eaten all day so I think that's forgiveable.

But anyways:
you'll need:
(most of these measurements are approximate, I kind of eyeballed it)
(about 1 to 1/2 cup)Chicken Breast that has been boiled and cubed, (skinless and boneless is easiest)
(half can) some cream of chicken soup (condensed)
(half cup) frozen peas and carrots
(teaspoon/tablespoon) onions (can be flakes those little onions, vidalia onions would have been amazing, but i couldn't find any)
A tube of crescent rolls
splash of chicken broth (optional)
(tablespoon) of water


A pinch of salt
an egg

In a saucepan add all the ingrediants except the egg and water, bring to a boil over medium stirring occasionally.
While that's boiling take your longaberger pottery and line the bottom and sides with crescent rolls, I kind of put the larger ends in the bottom and had the pointed tops hanging over the sides, if you are using the custard cups skip this step
once your mixture is hot and stirred together, spoon it into the dishes on top of the crescent roll linings, bring the pointed edges to the center, put one crescent roll on top, you can drape it over the side if you like.
blend the egg and water together and brush this on the crust with a brush or the back of a spoon.

Bake at 400 degrees in the oven for about 11 minutes or until the crust on top is golden.
(let cool a few minutes)

-Missy

Liners on Ebay

Spring Cleaning has begun of the giant mountain that is my mother's Longaberger hoard, her ebay seller id is connieiss and you can check out some of the items she has up by looking at this handy graphical organizer :)


Buy some liners, they go to my dwindling college fund, tuition is up like another 9 percent and housing went up like $200, in exchange, if your child has a question on their homework they can't answer, you can message me using my "meebo me" device located to the right of this post and I will answer it (assuming I'm online). My mother is already using this service and loves it!

-Missy

Longaberger In the White House

Tammy was recently in my area (in Frederick Maryland) and I have a super cute story for ya'll.
I live in the Washington DC Metro area, so the Easter Egg Roll is always on our Easter news. This year Longaberger sent up 2,000 easter baskets for the kids attending.

At the Maryland event Tammy was telling us about this story and said that the white house called and asked for two more baskets, and they thought only two more? We sent 2,000! Apparently the Obama's liked them so much that they decided Sasha and Malia needed ones of their own! I wonder if Longaberger has been in the white house before this?

On another note: In case you hadn't heard, Sasha and Malia also got their puppy! Bo is a Portugese Water dog given to the family by Senator Ted Kennedy and his family.

(left)The Obama family and their puppy Bo, (right) Bo

(I work at Petsmart, So I had to include the part about the puppies!)

Hopefully Bo isn't like my boyfriend's mom's puppies and think Longaberger Maple is a tasty treat, they've gone through 2 baskets and counting, I buy her pottery instead now...

-Missy

Winner!

Hi ya'll I'd like to announce the winner of my Easter Stripe Purse Giveaway!
the winner is comment #30
Z. Smith
I'll be contacting you shortly to get sending information :)

Thanks for everyone who entered :)

Bunny Tea Pot Super Sale!

This bunny teapot is the cutest thing ever isn't it? When it came out in catalogs, it was $40!

Today in the Homestead store, it's only $5 with $2 shipping!

TO get yours today go to http://www.longaberger.com/melissaisaacs

click on "shop homestead online and factory store"

April Bonus Buys (BIG SAVINGS)

Hi ya'll!

Longaberger just announced April's BONUS BUYS! You can order these on a show order, or through myshop. What can you get?

This is the Medium Chore Basket, which has been retired for some time now, you can add it to your collection for $39!

Some possible ideas for your basket?

-the 2qt baking dish fits very nicely in it (as you can see in the picture)

-College student, Teacher, or High School Grad on your list? Fill it with a pocket dictionary, thesaurus, flash drive, small calculator and pens!

-Gardening Caddy, fits, seeds, small gardening tools and gloves perfectly!

-Diaper changing neccessities, fill with some lotion, diapers, powder and wipes

What products fit inside?

-2 qt baking dish

-Woven Traditions Loaf Dish

-Two woven traditions 1 pint crocks

-Two 4" flower pot baskets

-Two woven traditions 4" flower pots with saucers

-Three Woven Traditions Mugs

-Three 17oz Tumblers

-Six 8oz Tumblers

-Six Woven Traditions Small Square bowls (stacked 3 high)

-Six Woven traditions Soup and salad bowls (stacked 3 high)

and a partridge in a pear tree (that's what the list reminded me of)

(don't forget, APRIL ONLY all Woven Traditions Pottery is 20% off!)

2nd Bonus Buy:

Salt and Pepper Caddy!

This caddy is not just limited to holding your salt and pepper though!

-Hold your dish sponges and scrubbers by the sink

-arrange electric toothbrushes and other larger ones that just won't fit in the holder

-keep hot chocolate packets, soup mixes, and oatmeal contained

- Neatly (and prettily) holds your cell phone at the office

-Use it to hold coasters indoors or out!

To Purchase anything mentioned today go to:

http://www.longaberger.com/melissaisaacs

or

CONTACT ME :)

-Missy

Pitch in Party

One of my friends is having a pitch in party next weekend, which made me think wow what a great idea for Longaberger! With the state of everyone's wallets right now how can you entertain and not break the bank? A pitch in party! Get together with 1 or 2 of your friends and each of you splits the responsibilities of hosting a home show. Invite all 3 sets of friends, picking a friend that has a nice crib would be a good choice at this point. You can split the costs of food and drinks and help the person who's house your using clean and set up.
Split the profits you all bring in 3 ways, so your consultant is putting in 3 shows, and you can each get a few half price items or hostess dollars!

If you'd rather you might even be able to ask your consultant if you can do an Open House at her place, bring a dish, invite all your friends, and split the show that way!

Will you BEE there?

For all the consultants in the audience I give you

Bee promotion video:

I get to go!!!! yay!

And tell ya what, I'm so excited about the bee that I want to do a Bee themed giveaway, I'm currently looking for sponsors who might be interested in working with me for this endeavor so if you know anyone who'd be interested please have them contact me, I'd like to do this in Sometime between June and Early-Mid July so that's plenty of time to plan, I want to do this right!

C Ya there!

-Missy

One Day Only Sale: Good things come in three's

Hey ya'll

Another one day only sale February 25th 

Choose from 3 Harvest Weave Baskets, pick one, or take them all for 40% off

Shop online at MyShop