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!