Got a Longaberger Bowling Ball Basket?

Of course, there has never been an official Longaberger Bowling Ball Basket (perhaps I should suggest one!), but this funny sight has made me smile ever since I put my bowling ball in this Spice Market Picnic Tote Basket from 2012.  Of course, a Weekender Basket would also carry your bowling ball, but the attached lid won't close completely, if yours has a lid.  Have you seen my Weekender "Totem Pole"?  It was in one of my first posts a few years ago.

I've been wanting to go bowling, but something happened to our bag, since we haven't bowled in 20+ years.  I guess the balls were invincible.  Anyway, I may carry my ball into the bowling alley in Longaberger style.  The problem is, this bowling ball doesn't seem to still fit my hand!  I got it when I was 30--do your hands grow as an adult?  It's as if my hand has gotten longer.  

Anyway, tuck a tea towel in your Longaberger Basket, drop in a bowling ball and maybe some form of powder (a little bag or container) and head off for some family fun bowling!

Longaberger Basket = Portable Desk!

Many of us wish we could work from home, if we don't already have that ability.  Wouldn't it be great to drop your kids off at school, come home, and work in comfortable, safe surroundings?  Schedule work around your kids' school events and other daytime pursuits?  Be available for family needs and issues at any time?

Working from home is definitely an advantage to a Longaberger career.  The flexibility involves not only when you work and with whom, but also where.  I've enjoyed finding I can work in different locations around the house for a change of scene, but I don't always have everything I need there.  That's where Longaberger's Large Tote Basket (or really, any Longaberger Basket that suits you!) comes in.  

I can load my books, brochures, beloved legal pads full of scrawling notes, and even my big old clunky laptop in the basket and travel as needed.  When the laptop isn't in there, my basket also holds a Pencil Basket in one end with pens, pencils, and other small items inside. Just another reason Longaberger says, "Take us with you wherever you go!"

Longaberger Organizes the Small Stuff, Too

Longaberger Baskets are great help in organizing little things, too, and there are many small Longaberger Baskets available.  You might even have these Collectors Club Baskets, which fit handily in the little cubbyholes over my kitchen desk.  The four rectangular baskets are holding sticky notes, reading glasses, letter openers, and rings of keys.  The taller 2001 Renewal Basket in the middle holds little Cadoozles pencils, which you need to try, if you like mechanical pencils.  Access to exclusive baskets like these are part of belonging to Collectors Club. Large or small, Longaberger can help organize it all . . . beautifully!

A Very Special Longaberger Medium Market Basket

Isn't this just one of the best Longaberger Medium Market Baskets ever?  I enjoy my Christmas and fall Medium Market Baskets for carrying food to all sorts of seasonal events, but I never had one particularly perfect for spring. The Medium Market is everyone's favorite carrying basket for all sorts of things, and that Pale Yellow lid and handles are so pretty with the Forever Spring pastel weave.  This beauty is available on my website www.longaberger.com/wendymiekley through the end of March.  The solid Vintage, Pewter, and Warm Brown Baskets in the intricate Spring Weave are beautiful too (click on the photo for a larger view), and are more versatile for many than the playful pastels  of the Forever Spring Weave.  

Favorite Medium Market Basket uses:

• carrying a 9 x 13" Baking Dish on top of the basket with dip (such as in March 11 entry!) with my bag of chips, serving utensils, and any other items needed inside the Medium Market Basket.  Swinging handles still come up to carry easily
• holding file folders, magazines, and books 
• often used by church pianists and Sunday School teachers as well as regular classroom teachers and Scout leaders 
• beloved by those who run many errands (collect it all inside, grab the handles, and go!) 
• a pretty start to a daughter's own Longaberger collection and one that she will use in many ways throughout life
• library book central--carry it to the library weekly and corral books in there back home
• food for a summer picnic (carry-out fits nicely too)
• great baby gift: weaver has initialed and dated the bottom and you can add your sentiments and signature!
• very portable for children's toys
• take it to the pool or in the boat this summer; also great for the camper
• very appreciated gift, filled or empty!

Please post ideas or even photos of your favorite Longaberger Medium Market Basket uses!  You'll be surprised by how much you'll use this basket, in whichever stain or design you have it.

Tasty Mexican Dip--A Longaberger Baking Dish Full!

Having friends over this weekend?  Here's an old favorite Mexican dip recipe that will feed a houseful! Make it hours ahead of time and put it in the fridge, and your Longaberger 9 x 13" Baking Dish will retain that cool temperature until your dip is gone.  Add your favorite Longaberger Basket full of tortilla chips, and you're ready.  I like the scoop chips for this.

Any food looks tastier in Longaberger Woven Traditions Pottery, and this tasty dip is no exception.  Put it together Saturday morning and enjoy it Saturday evening!

 Layer 1:  Combine a large can of refried beans, a package of taco seasoning mix, and 6 T salsa and spread in the bottom of your 9 x 13" Baking Dish.

 Layer 2:  Combine a large carton guacamole and a large carton French onion dip and spread over the first layer.  Love this eye-popping shade of green in my Paprika red dish!

 Layer 3:  Add diced tomatoes.  I take the easy route and use a can of diced tomatoes, drained.  You can also add onion here, but I rarely add onions unless it's just for our family.






Layer 4:  Top with shredded mozzarella/colby mix and add drained sliced black olives.  Green chiles are optional.  

Don't yet have a Longaberger Baking Dish?  Everyone needs at least two of these!  Head right to my Longaberger website, where you can find the 8 x 8" and 9 x 13" in several beautiful colors!

More Paperwhite Progress

Check out these roots!  They are going everywhere.  The paperwhite flower bulbs I started in my Longaberger plastic protector a few weeks ago (see March 2 and 3 entries) are going (and growing!) strong, and here's why.  They have developed an amazing root system, visible through the clear plastic protector (at least, until you put it into the basket).  The plants are getting tall, and three plants have flower buds on them now.  Won't these be pretty in a Longaberger Basket for spring and Easter?  Sorry about the odd viewpoint--no one is up to help hold the protector at this early hour in Missouri, so I let it stick off the end of my kitchen cabinet and photographed from below.  :)  

Longaberger Encourages You to Get Organized!

How tempting are these Hanging Baskets and Rack?  I can't seem to resist them!  I purchased this set to show at Open Houses and other events and have it sitting in my office between times, not intending to use it for organization.  However, I can't seem to help myself!  Every time I find myself cleaning my desk or planning something, these handy baskets are utilized.  Then I have an event, need this for display, and remove everything again.

Of course, the set just cries out for another Small Hanging Basket on the top rail, and I will add that soon.  The Hanging Baskets and the Rack also come in Warm Brown, Vintage, or Pewter stains, but I ordered the striking Khaki Check weave with men in mind--my nephew uses it in his home.  However, it is not the best choice for my office, which has navy walls and a patriotic theme, as you can see from earlier posts.

The Medium Hanging Basket is a handy size for use in office, bathroom, bedroom, or any location!  The Large Hanging Basket on bottom is huge.  I can picture it filled with binders in your office or fluffy towels in a bathroom.  What a beautiful way to get organized!

Longaberger 2016 Spring Wish List Fun Facts

A new Longaberger Wish List is always cause for excitement!  What is exciting or different as we live the good life in Spring & Summer 2016?

• Longaberger family and friends are pictured throughout--no professional models
• Longaberger heads to the Farmer's Market--be sure to carry your Market Basket this spring and summer as you go
• New Everyday Tableware is elegant in white, the number 1 pottery color nationally
• Woven:  very natural and versatile, fun and different
• That new Ball Pitcher just makes you smile; a Woven Traditions must-have
• Photos were actually shot in-season last summer.  Talk about planning ahead!
• Host-exclusive products like the Trestle Side Table and Woven Wall Cubby Bundle are reasons to host a show, online show, open house, or one-on-one appointment
• As always, you'll find great photography, creative ideas to steal, and tasty- and healthy-looking food
• Intricate Collectors Club miniature Farm Baskets, in colors and/or Vintage stain with a fun display Bench
• You can see all these exciting products on my Longaberger website, but I'd be glad to mail you old-fashioned paper copies if, like me, you want to hold it and savor the photos :)

The Dreaded Spring Cleaning, by Calendar

Few of us like house-cleaning, but unless you have someone to take care of it for you or are a minimalist who cleans as you go, your house probably needs an occasional deep-cleaning. A cleaning calendar can help you get this done!   Here's what you do:  print a bare calendar and assign a room a week, or maybe every two weeks.  On your calendar, list every thing in that room that needs doing or cleaning, including painting, purchases, and fix-its.

This was the perfect summer cleaning method when I was teaching school and was shared with me by a fellow teacher, who wisely explained:  If you want to enjoy the end of the week, work hard at the beginning and get the whole room done!  As you can see, I don't put a task for each day, but list them for the week.  I LOVE to check things off and add detail to my lists so I can make lots of checkmarks.  Reduction is key and little-used treasures are added to my eBay store to find a new home as I make cleaning progress.  If you have an additional job, your calendar may need two weeks for each room, with one manageable task an evening.

A Longaberger Basket Just for Our Family--or Yours

I'm excited--my Longaberger Design-a-Basket has arrived!  These customized baskets and lids are perfect for families, organizations, schools, or anyone who deserves a personal touch, but give the weavers lots of time to prepare them.  When you get to choose your own shape, colors, tack covers, and wording, that takes time to create.

When you head to my Longaberger website (see handy link at right), you'll find the Design-a-Basket program featured on the front page right now.  Click there to see all your fun options for customizing your basket.  Another exciting element:  Longaberger Baskets now come with customized weaver tags (see my June 16, 2015 post about these) that show who created  your basket and give some insight about him or her. 

Speaking of older posts, our authentic Longaberger/John Deere Baskets that my husband and son wove when Longaberger partnered with John Deere are pictured in a post from July 3, 2013 (just keep scrolling down and clicking Older Posts at the bottom).

Had Brownies in a Longaberger Mug Lately?

Longaberger "Brownies in a Mug" is a brownie spin-off that your family and friends would enjoy this weekend.  Of course, first you need Longaberger Woven Traditions vitrified pottery Mugs, available on my website if you're not lucky enough to already enjoy some.  :)

 Grease the inside of your mugs, mix up your brownies following the directions on the box, fill each Mug about 1/3  to 1/2 full, bake your brownies (which may take longer than specified on the box)in the Mugs on a cookie sheet, and remove when done.  You may want to let these cool slightly so your ice cream doesn't melt immediately.

I wish I had pictures of the completed mug brownies, but we ate them too quickly. :) When baked, room is available in the Mug to top with ice cream and tasty toppings of your choice. These are a portable individual treat, and the Mug keeps the brownie warm for quite a while.  Always a favorite--try them soon! 
Don't try this in just any Mug. Longaberger Woven Traditions Pottery is microwave, dishwasher, oven, and freezer safe, so these Mugs will handle this task with ease and clean up easily too! My four-petal design Mugs shown in the photos are retired, but the attractive solid-colored Longaberger Mugs currently available have the same 12-ounce size, shape, and comfort handle.

Paperwhite Bulbs in Longaberger: 1 Week Later!

Here are the paperwhite bulbs in my Longaberger plastic protector, one week later. They've had water, some weak winter sun, and a chance to stretch a little.  Interesting that some bulbs haven't done anything--I wonder if they'll be late, so the overall blooming will be stretched out a little, or if they will just sit there?  If you do this project with your children, they can be very scientific and measure growth each day and be impressed with the plants' progress.  


These plants would be festive in past Longaberger Easter Baskets,  but you could really do this project in anything from a pretty glass container to an old boot.  :)  I'd recommend adding this touch of spring with your Longaberger, though.  Growing Easter grass in your plastic protector is also a fun place to nestle your Easter eggs.  If you try planting in a basket (protector), I'd love for you to share your progress on here!
 

Forcing Spring Bulbs in a Longaberger Plastic Protector

Want to bring a touch of spring indoors?  You and your family will enjoy watching flower bulbs grow and bloom, right in your home in a Longaberger Basket.  Actually in its plastic protector. These bulbs are in a Darning Basket protector, but you could use any plastic protector or container.  

I rescued these paperwhite bulbs from the local discount store last Monday on sale for $1.50, already sprouting, and snuggled them down in some decorative stone in my Longaberger plastic protector.  The store had a huge selection of bagged bulbs and roots probably left from last fall that need good homes, so run to your local store and rescue some bulbs right away!  
Just keep them watered well and add some sunlight when possible, and you'll enjoy how quickly the plants straighten out and grow.  Later you can plant them outdoors for next year. Stay tuned--I'll post another picture tomorrow of these plants and you'll be surprised at their progress in just a week.  Easter blooms, here we come!