Greetings from...

Greeting from Maine!  Please let me tell you that if it feels like spring is still missing for us in Chicago, it's positively AWOL up here in Maine.  The trees are bare, and the daffodils are just now beginning to bloom.  Happily, there are plenty of diversions that can be done indoors.
One of the consistent joys of coming to Maine is stopping at the Skidompha Second Hand book shop in Damariscotta; housed in a 19th century carriage house, the bookstore is a cluttered maze of mysteries, cookbooks, novels and oddities all donated to support the local library.  It has that great bookstore smell, jazz music playing from an old radio that sits on the counter and big wing chairs to plop into as you peruse the stacks.   A pleasant hour or two of browsing yielded the following:

Six Men, by Alistar Cooke, A Time to Dance, No Time to Weep, by Rumer Godden, a great copy of Auntie Mame, (an all time favorite especially the chapter where she opens her own store--hilarious) The I Hate to Cook Book, a funny little paperback that was always on my mother's kitchen shelf, and One Pair of Hands, by Monica Dickens, the great-granddaughter of Charles Dickens, that looks most promising...

Tuesday I'm tossing the dogs and my new GPS in the car and heading off in search of vintage treasures for Clever Girl...will update you very soon.  For now must go turn up the heat and start reading...

Time to Rock & Roll

A reminder, Clever Girls:

 The Western Springs Farmers Market begins Thursday, May 5th from 2-7.  This is a great chance to support local growers!

It's A Boy!

Meet the newest addition at Clever Girl...
Kathy has a brand new puppy, and boy-oh-boy is he a cutie pie!
We have a little spot all prepared for him, and he'll be at work with her starting TODAY!  {5/3/11}  We've been taking suggestions for a clever name for this little guy, so stop in to find out what he's called and to peek at all his puppy cuteness!  Those paws!  That tail!  The puppy tummy!  So darling!

Searching for Spring

"No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn."  Hal Borland, the famous writer for The New York Times, wrote that, but we just might be challenging it this year.  Where is spring?  Where has the sun gone?

Despite the cold and gloom, we are quietly inching our way along.  The daffodils have stretched up and out of their winter sleep, and the robins are hopping about in search of snacks in record numbers.  Our pansies are staunchly blooming away,the grass has turned green once again, and the calendar tells me that Mother's Day, that full-on spring-time holiday, is fast approaching.  All signs to the contrary, we are full of spring spirit in the shop, and ready for the weather to take a warmer turn.  Suddenly we won't need our coats and umbrellas, we'll be searching for our sun glasses, sun hats and sun screen.  We'll trade our purses for light weight totes, and tuck a fun beach book inside.  The grill will be used more nights than not, and an ice-cold lemonade will sound ever so much more refreshing than another cup of coffee.  So while the gray skies and chilly dampness might suggest otherwise, don't despair.  Spring is quietly slipping in around us--with just a whisper this year, not a shout, but it will not skip its turn...

Full of faith and hope...

"This is the promise that He hath promised us, even eternal life."

--1 John 2:25

Wishing everyone a blessed Easter.

Yummy Mummy

Here it is Clever Girls! Hot off the presses, and just in time for Mother's Day, we have Gweneth Paltrow's new cookbook, My Father's Daughter. This is a delightful book, filled with great pictures, and lots of hints and tips from Gwynnie herself.  Sprinkled in along with the recipes are personal stories centered around the origin of the dishes, tales of growing up in a rather famous (yet, seemingly, down-to-earth) family and explanations on why certain ingredients work well together.

While I personally will be skipping her Anchovy Vinaigrette, (just not my thing) this is her recipe for Balsamic & Lime Dressing; tangy, sweet and delicious.  It packs a real zing...

Balsamic & Lime Vinaigrette

2-T balsamic vinegar

2 T. light agave nectar (or honey)

1 T. fresh lime juice

6 T. olive oil

coarse salt

fresh ground black pepper

Whisk the vinegar, agave and lime juice together in a bowl.  

Slowly whisk in the olive oil, and season to taste with salt and pepper.

***

Other recipes to tempt you include: Stuffed Artichokes with Bread and Tomatoes, Best Stir-Fried Chicken, Penne Puttanesca and Bruce Paltrow's World-Famous Pancakes. 

Yum yum.  Let's get cookin' girls!

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Don't Forget, Sunday, May 8th

A gentle reminder, Clever Girls: Mother's Day is rapidly approaching; and there are decisions to be made and orders to be placed. Our perennial  favorite, Chic Lit Jewelry, needs to be on order pronto to insure delivery in time for Mom's big day.
We have lots of samples and color charts for you to see, and are happy to help you put together a special, custom piece that any Mother will just love.

We MUST have your orders by April 22, 2011, so track down those birth dates, decide on a necklace or bracelet, and get your orders in!  It's time to show Momma some love.

Autism Awareness Month

Please join us in recognizing April as National Autism Awareness Month, and supporting Charlie's Gift.
Clever Girl will donate $10 to Charlie's Gift for every special edition, Nest Blue Garden candle sold throughout the month of April.  This is the perfect way to make a meaningful contribution and enjoy the world's best candle.  Partner with us in supporting this excellent cause and local charity.

Hip, Hip Hooray!

Announcing Our Newest Arrival...

The Baby Department--Now at Clever Girl

Little Alison McMillan, niece and Clever Girl

SO MANY of you have asked us not to forget the youngest, freshest, newest Clever Girls (and boys) and we have listened! We've brought in the cutest, cuddliest and most clever things a wee one could ever want. Books, bibs, custom blankets, snuggly stuffed animals, dish sets, puzzles, games and more, are now available at Clever Girl.

Alison and her friend, Teddy

Clever Girl is also the area's exclusive store for Chewbeads; you may have seen them recently on Martha Stewart, or in American Baby Magazine. These super clever necklaces are one of our most popular items in the Baby Department. They make the perfect gift for a Mom to enjoy and keep the little ones occupied! These are a "must have" at any baby shower; and a great idea with Mother's Day just around the corner...

Chewbead fans, Kim & Milly