A Thyme for Everything

Butternut Squash Bisque – Submitted by Mary Stilley

admin — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 23:01:25 +0000

Recipe adapted from one listed on www.kuvo.org as an October Wine & Food Pairing a couple of years ago.

Serves 8 – 10

1 Tbsp. butter

2-3 pounds butternut squash, peeled and diced into 1-inch chunks

3 large carrots, peeled and chopped

1 medium onion, chopped

1 Tbsp. minced fresh ginger (1-inch piece, peeled)

2 qt. vegetable stock

1/8 cup grated orange zest

½ bunch parsley, chopped

Pinch of ground nutmeg

Sea salt, to taste (none needed unless using low-salt stock)

Ground pepper, to taste

Heat the butter over medium heat in a large sauce pot. Sautee the squash, carrots, onion and ginger for 3 minutes or until lightly browned. Add the stock and orange zest, and bring to a boil. Lower to a simmer and cook uncovered for 30 minutes, until the vegetables are tender. Add the parsley, nutmeg, salt and pepper. Cook a few minutes more. Puree the soup in a blender or food processor until smooth and creamy.

Paperwork Day!

admin — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 22:49:50 +0000

Yesterday was my day off. Today I spent the day working on paperwork! Orders, orders, orders! This isn’t my favorite thing to do, so I try to do it only one day a week. I catch up on the special orders, did you know that we can special order something in for you that we might not regularly carry? I also catch up on backorders, where are they? Are they coming? Have you forgotten about me? And of course answering all the emails I’ve received over the weekend. (I usually keep on those pretty well from my laptop & phone.) Today I was so busy that when I looked up after finishing, it was 4:30 p.m.!!! Crazy! Time just flew!

I also spent a great part of my day waiting on YOU my customers. I love visiting with you and seeing where you are from, what you are doing and what you are making for dinner. Tonight I’m eating take out, Jimmy Johns. I can’t help it, I’m addicted! Their sandwiches are by far superior to any other! So what are you making for dinner? See you in the shop!

Blogging

admin — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 21:54:38 +0000

Ok, I’ve been told by my friend Sandy that I need to kick my blogging up a notch. So after searching Borders Bookstore, purchasing books on the subject, I now have my homework set for me! She is an expert blogger and I will be changing mine up a bit with her advice and anything I can glean from the books.

Fall Open House was this past weekend and the weather cooperated and helped us feel like Fall really is coming. My shop was full of wonderful fun and delicious Fall and Halloween items and snacks. One of my favorite finds for Halloween this year is the Mercury Glass Skull. It just brings a smile to my face. It is elegant and freaky at the same time! LOL The Skeleton Lithograph plates I ordered are incredible too! Unfortunately they are almost sold out. I will see if I can reorder.

TAG’s Mummy & Friends is so cute, that you will just want to have a party so you can put them out for your friends to see and share! The adorable salt & pepper shaker set can be stacked up, or left side by side. How cute it that?

It is also getting to be soup time again. I absolutely love soup! I’ve got cookbooks, mixes, spices, orzo and whatever else you might need to make a delicious soup or stew. We also have a cooking class coming up at the end of September by two cookbook authors, Kathy Moore & Roxanne Wyss on using your slow cooker. Check out the website for more info on this and other classes.

See you in the shop!

Kid’s Thyme Culinary Camp

admin — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 14:28:36 +0000

Next week we have our second week of culinary camp here at the shop. Most of you might not know this about me, but I love teaching kids! I know! Jet – she’s like a kid herself! LOL I was the Home Room Mom, Girl Scout/Campfire Girl Leader, Awana Leader, etc. if there was a “mom” roll to fill, I was it! When we started the cooking classes, I knew I wanted to teach the kids. I have chef’s that teach the adults, but I teach the kids. They are so much fun! So curious. And so into it!

Last night I put the finishing touches on the menu for next weeks camp. Each day we will prepare something for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack and dessert. The title of this course is “Dining Around the Clock”. We will make things that are kid friendly, but teach them that good food doesn’t come out of box, i.e., Homemade Mac n’ Cheese. On Wednesday, we will visit the Downtown Lee’s Summit Farmer’s Market to purchase fresh produce to use in our class that day.

Check back with us next week to see what we’ve made and I will upload some pics and recipes.

Day off, what to do?

admin — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 14:26:22 +0000

Ok, I have the day off today! Aleasa, my granddaughter is coming over to hang out while her mom heads to the dentist this morning. So that takes care of the morning, but what about my afternoon? Clean the house? Work in my garden? Go out to lunch with a friend? Shop? Nap? There are just too many choices!

For those of you that have been into the “new” shop, you know how hard we’ve worked to get it moved over and set up for you. We still have a few things to finish up, but for the most part it is done. The colors are beautiful. The tin ceiling is urban and fun. The kitchen is beautiful with its great new cooktop and built-in oven. It truly is a wonderful space. I hope you can stop by soon and see it. Or better yet, sign up for a class and experience the kitchen first hand!

Now to decide how to spend my day…..

My New Neighbor

admin — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 00:41:54 +0000

Well, now that the dust is settling and the keys for the old place have been turned in, it is now time to start thinking about my new neighbors. The Living Stone, owned by Sherri Shackles has been one of my favorite places to shop since I discovered Downtown Lee’s Summit. Over the years, Sherri and I have become friends, and now, I’m so happy to announce (to those of you that haven’t heard) that she is to be my new neighbor! She is moving into my old space. This new space will give The Living Stone more room to expand! I’m excited to welcome her to SE Main Street.

What’s in a move?

admin — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 03:17:47 +0000

WOW! What’s in a move? Let me tell you…sweat, aching muscles, organization and cleansing. The weather has been nice in the fact that it hasn’t really rained during our move, but the heat? Oh my goodness! The heat has been unbearable at times! Aching muscles? I hurt in places I didn’t even know could hurt! Moving is hard work and heavy lifting! Organization. Where to put it all? Why, oh why, do I have so much junk? I really am not a hoarder. I don’t like clutter either. So, how did I end up with so much junk? The items as they’ve been brought over to the “new” shop, have been organized and put away. Cleansing. Kind of like a renewing of sorts. Cleaning out the junk, making room for the “treasures”! Tomorrow is our Downtown Lee’s Summit, Bargain on the Bricks, sidewalk sale. I am letting go of lots of old “treasures” to make room for my new “treasures”. I have less storage space available in the new shop. Almost all of the space is retail or kitchen. So, I don’t have the room to store anything that isn’t really needed. My house will now be the home of my two Christmas trees and some displays that I just can’t seem to part with! So if you are in the need of a few new “treasures”, come on down tomorrow 10:oo a.m. to 5:00 p.m and purchase some for yourself or a friend.

The Drama of it All!

admin — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 23:50:00 +0000

Ok, out of town for the weekend at a wonderful B & B in Monument, Colorado when I get THE phone call. “Hey Jet, the computer won’t work.” Oh my freakin goodness sakes!!! There is nothing you can do from the distance! So, I just say do it all manually.

Now back home and in the shop. And yes she was correct – the computer is all jacked up! Ugh! I have a love/hate relationship with the computer. I love being able to keep up with all the latest and greatest in technology, but oh my, if it isn’t working, it is a freakin mess!

But I’ve determined that my computer won’t get the best of me!

Wedding “Thyme”

admin — Sat, 22 May 2010 22:46:27 +0000

Today I was off work so we could attend a wedding. My daughters good friend Beth and Micah got married in a simple, but wonderful ceremony. Ahhh….young love!

It made me start thinking about all the wonderful things in the shop that a newly married couple needs. Do you know we have a wedding registry? We offer complimentary gift wrap, and we can ship for you if you need. And the best gift of all, I think, would be a gift certificate, for either a class or products. That’s what I gave Beth and Micah. I know they’ve gotten lots of gifts already, and this way they can just come in and pick out what they didn’t receive.

If we can help you, please just give us a call (816)554-3755.

Stella & Dot Trunk Show/Tastings

admin — Mon, 03 May 2010 13:49:30 +0000

Just in time for Mother’s Day! Order mom a wonderful necklace or bracelet from Stella & Dot! My friend Samantha will be at the shop from 11 – 2 on Saturday, May 8 to share with you her beautiful new line, Stella & Dot. It is fun, whimsical and timeless! For every purchase of Stella & Dot you make, you will receive a $5.00 off your purchase of $25 at the shop! It is a win-win for you! Also, we will be having tastings of a lot of our products! Stop by this Saturday between 11 and 3. See you then!