Christmas Miscellany

I came across this little snippet by Harper Lee.  Quite a bit of emotion somehow packed into this short paragraph...

Outside, snow was falling, an odd event for a New York Christmas. I went to the window, stunned by the day’s miracle. Christmas trees blurred softly across the street, and firelight made the children’s shadows dance on the wall beside me. A full, fair chance for a new life. Not given me by an act of generosity, but by an act of love. Our faith in you was really all I had heard them say. I would do my best not to fail them. Snow still fell on the pavement below. Brownstone roofs gradually whitened. Lights in distant skyscrapers shone with yellow symbols of a road’s lonely end, and as I stood at the window, looking at the lights and the snow, the ache of an old memory left me for ever.

By Harper Lee, this story was first published in McCall’s magazine in the December 1961 issue, titled Christmas To Me.

Not sure where this picture was taken, but I love it. The ladies in their coats and hats and gloves. The street decorations are so wholesome, and it feels like snow is on the way, somehow, doesn't it? I wonder what the photographer was doing?

I love this photo, too.  It was captioned Mistletoe Sellers in France.  Perhaps they would sell people a snippet to put over their door?  Do they kiss under the mistletoe in France?  I suppose they do... noël amour.

Came across this Christmas card with my dad (on the right) and his brothers, David and Mike (upside down).  Everyone sends photo cards now, but I think Grandma was a bit ahead of her time to do so in the 50's.....

Carry on everyone--the season is fast upon us!

Happy Christmas

Here's hoping you are all on the, "downside" of your Christmas shopping. Happily, I've turned the corner, and now have things well in hand on that front....

It's lovely to see you all this time of year (and year-round, for that matter, as we're always here.) Western Springs really is like Bedford Falls, from It's A Wonderful Life; local, charming, friendly and quite comforting. This time of year always reminds me how blessed I am to live and work in this community. I know that I've already said it, but we're here to help (open late tonight, and every Thursday until Christmas) so bring in your shopping list, and let's get going!!!  

Happy Christmas from all of us at Clever Girl...

Hot Chocolate Time

A brief reminder, we're here to help with that list you're working off of.  The web site has lots of suggestions if you want to preview...

For Christmas gifts, so many of you now bring in you addresses and have us UPS everything out for you.  It's a terrific way to shop locally, and a tremendous time saver!  Let us take care of it for you!!! 

When you do have a moment to catch you breath this season, try a cozy mug of our favorite Hot Chocolate from Stonewall Kitchen.  We sell an absolute TON of it this time of year.  It's rich and delicious and always a treat.  Put on some Christmas carols, make a mug, and savor the season!  {Check out the Hot Chocolate right here}

"Y" is for Yummy...

We recently had our annual Christmas Open House, and I must say a very good time was had by all.  It's always so much fun to share a relaxed moment with our lovely customers, sip a bit of wine, sample some food and enjoy the Christmas music.  This year we were blessed to have pleasant weather as well!  

Our signature cocktail is the always festive, Clever Girl Cosmo, made with good vodka, Cointreau and served icy cold. [Click HERE for the secret] And, below, are two of the recipes I promised to post for everyone.  So glad you all liked these so much!!!  Ina Garten's scrumptious Frittata Squares, and the super tasty (super easy) Stonewall Kitchen Cranberry Horseradish dip seem to be real crown pleasers.  

Potato Basil Frittata Squares

(Serves 20 )

Gather the goods

12 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
3 cups peeled and 1/2-inch-diced boiling potatoes (4 potatoes)
12 extra-large eggs
22 ounces ricotta cheese
1 pound 2 ounces Gruyère cheese, grated
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1¼ cups chopped fresh basil leaves
½ cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour a 12 x 18 x 1½” half sheet pan.

Melt 4 tablespoons of the butter in a 12-inch sauté pan over medium-low heat. Add the potatoes and fry them until cooked through, turning often, 10 to 15 minutes. Melt the remaining 8 tablespoons of butter in a small sauté pan and set aside.

Meanwhile, whisk the eggs in a large bowl, then stir in the ricotta, Gruyère, melted butter, salt, pepper, and basil. Sprinkle on the flour and baking powder and stir into the egg mixture.

Distribute the potatoes over the bottom of the sheet pan. Pour the egg mixture over the potatoes and spread evenly. Bake the frittata until it is browned and puffed, 30 to 35 minutes. Allow the frittata to cool and cut into 20 single-serving squares.

Cranberry Horseradish Bacon Dip
Serves 8 as an appetizer
Gather the Goods
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup Stonewall Kitchen Cranberry Horseradish Sauce
1/4 cup bacon, cooked and crumbled
3 Tablespoons scallions, chopped
1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions:
Combine all ingredients and mix until uniform.
Serve with crackers, pretzels or baguette slices.

Both of these are easy and can be made ahead.  Thanks to all of you who attended our party.  Ready or not, here we go into another Christmas season!

Introducing Bain de Mer Elixirs

"The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever."

~Jacques Cousteau

I was so happy to discover this luxurious new line of bath products for Clever Girl.  There are, in my mind, two things necessary to make a product line work: It needs to perform well, and it must smell divine.  Happily, Bain de Mer delivers on both, and we're thrilled to have added it to our line up here at the store.  "Tranquility in a bottle" is a very apt description for this collection.  

The other thing I really like about the line is that there are scented candles for each fragrance collection.  That's hard to find!  So stop in and "sniff" out your favorite.  The bubble bath/salt set makes a wonderful starting point to "test the waters" as it were.  They also make a very sweet little gift...

Click here for a preview...

Falling Leaves, if you please...

NOVEMBER...

Love this time of year!  The leaves are crunchy, the nights are crisp, and the heat is coming on more and more.  It's time to think about being cozy, and adding extra blankets to the bed.  This is a wonderful time of year for long walks with my dear Gracie May...she enjoys it as much as I do this time of year.  

Here at the store, we have all sorts of snugly scarves, stylish sweaters, mittens, hats and gloves arriving daily. Stop in soon and see!

Happy November!

So, THIS Happened...

Lord Stanley Stops by Clever Girl

One of the more unique traditions of the Stanley Cup is winning teams and eventually every player on the winning team gets to spend a day with the Cup. There are many interesting stories associated with this privilege. In 1906 it was forgotten at a photography studio where it ended up a geranium planter before being retrieved by hockey officials. It has been a movie popcorn bucket, champagne glass, and water bowl for both dogs and horses, the latter being the 1994 Kentucky Derby winner.

We were so privileged and thrilled to have the Stanley Cup at Clever Girl!!!  What an absolutely amazing day it was...  Kathy and Sally (pictured above) are incredible hockey fans, and have son's and husband's whom are equally devoted to the sport. 

Thank you to the Koehler family for letting all of us at Clever Girl and the whole town of Western Springs be a part of the Chicago Blackhawks victory and capturing the cup!!!

FYI:  The Cup is always accompanied by at least one representative of the Hockey Hall of Fame, dubbed the “Keeper of the Cup.” The current Keeper, Philip Pritchard, has held the position since 1991 and even maintains a Twitter account to update followers on where the Cup goes from day to day.

Vive la France!

Today, July 14th, is the day we trade our red, white, and blue for bleu, blanc, et rouge! It's Bastille Day--and it's always fun to inject a bit of French flair into the day.

As I take a quick spin through the store, we have lots of wonderful items from France to share with you.  One of my long-time favorites is the La Vie Parisienne jewelry line.  Lately, there has been an big injection of color into this beautiful jewelry that's designed just outside the city of Paris.  Check out these colors!!!

 We have a collection of trays and dishes, many of which have cheeky French phrases on them.  They're perfect for tossing your keys into, or the loose change from a pocket.  I have one that I tend to keep my rings in next to the kitchen sink.  Très Chic.

Finally, we have a delicious selection of French bar soaps, liquid soaps and hand creams.  Imported directly from the source, in the South of France, these products blend modern science with the age-old wisdom and the tradition of the past to refine soft textured and delicately scented products.  Every time I pass the display, the intoxicating scent instantly transports me to the French countryside.  All of this French luxury and fragrance has traveled across the ocean to us, and comes at a very small price.  (Check out some of the items on our website by clicking HERE)  It's a small indulgence that elevates the everyday to something infinitely more special. 

So cheers to the French as they celebrate their big day.  I haven't finalized the menu for tonight. Champagne is a must, along with some baguettes and grilled poussin.  

Oh, and cake will be served...

To everyone, Joyeux Quatorze Juillet!!!

"L" is for Letter...

Greetings, Clever Girls...I wanted to share this little collection of initial trays with you: I think they are so sweet.  We've already sold through a whole big bunch of these.  Aren't they terrific?

There's just something intrinsically appealing about lettering, or fonts. These, in particular, are taken from old Parisian embroidery patterns.  They're ideal for office trinkets, jewelry, soap, or even for use as a paperweight.  

Here's my initial--"K" as in Katie.  I have it on my desk at home, and it's perfect for paperclips--I even bought black clips just because they look quite stylish in this dish (and they were on sale at Target)

Speaking of lettering and fonts, if you're looking for some indoor entertainment during all of the rain we seem to be having, try the film, The Grand Budapest Hotel for something rather quirky.  The detailed fonts and graphics throughout the movie are wonderful, done by the talented Annie Atkain {click HERE to see some of her work}  And click HERE to see these great dishes on our web site.  Each one comes in a really cute box, too...