Show us the love! Come into any one of our Hammertown Stores to find that perfect something for that perfect someone. Or make it REALLY easy and go directly to Hammertown Marketplace and order online now.

We’ll be waiting breathlessly for you!

We still have some spots left in our Victorian Valentines Papercutting workshop this Saturday from 3-5 pm ($40, materials included).

Come and make heirloom love tokens with Jenny Lee Fowler! Jenny created the rose pattern here, which can be folded to hide a secret sentiment or displayed as a flat cutting and decorated with paint and collage elements.

Stop by the shop or call to register.

Check out our other workshops coming up in February below.

Last week my oldest daughter, Lillie, was home from school ALL WEEK with a fever.  No other symptoms, just a rebounding temperature and general lethargy that kept her from being her usual bubbly self.   As a result, we had some quality time to discuss the upcoming hallmark holiday that all grade schoolers love:  Valentine’s Day.

After Googling some crafty card ideas I remembered all the iPod mixes we had been making for our car.  Recalling my favorite 80’s tradition, these are the mix “tapes” of today and so much easier to make than they were in 1985!

The girls and I have been making CD versions of them and then packaging with personalized covers as birthday presents for the never-ending stream of parties we seem to attend.  The feedback has been very positive from both parents and kids.

Then I thought, why not make a “love and hearts” themed one and pass out for Valentine’s Day?  So, here is our playlist for your perusing pleasure.  Throwbacks mixed with some new stuff.  This list is more than you will need to fill a CD.

To decorate, I bought a package of Avery Labels and let the girls decorate each one with a personalized message.  It was lots of fun to make and especially fun finding songs that are enjoyable for both kids and adults.  We have been rocking out to the tunes in our car ever since…American Idol 2025 here we come!

Lillie’s favorites:  Seasons of Love and Love Song.

Olive’s favorites: The Lovecats and Let My Love Open the Door.
My Favorites: All is Love, Bitter Heart, Be Be Your Love

Head over to iTunes for the songs you have yet to hear.  Happy Listening!

xoxo

Dana, Lillie and Olive.

We’re carrying them in two “natural” colors and the following sizes:

2′ x 3′      3′ x 5′     4′ x 6′

Great for mudrooms, entryways and doormats…wherever you need a durable yet attractive rug.  I’ve been carrying them for years for a very good reason…because my customers love them…and I love them too!

We just got a new shipment in so there are still  sizes and colors to choose from.   And if you buy them on a weekend and you’ll save 15%!

The bars seem healthy enough, but quite high in sugar and really, when there are that many ingredients, I start to wonder.  I couldn’t help but think that a homemade alternative would be much-appreciated in my household.  Furthermore, the activity itself sounded like something I could easily do with my kids…a bonus for any multi-tasking parent…and the $1-$1.99 price tag on these babies would not be missed in the slightest.

Google lead me to numerous recipes where I found one I liked, made a few minor adjustments and went to town. I have made these fabulous homemade “clif” bars numerous times and there is plenty of room for variation depending on tastes, allergies and whatever you may have in the pantry.  The key is to keep dry and wet ingredient amounts consistent with the original recipe.  I double this recipe which for me yielded 16 bars.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 and 1/4 cups crisp rice cereal (e.g., Rice Krispies)
• 1 cup uncooked quick-cooking oats
• 3 tablespoons ground flaxseed (flaxseed meal or almond meal)
• 1/4 cup finely chopped dried fruit (e.g., raisins, dried cranberries, dried cherries, etc.)
• 1/4 cup finely chopped nuts (preferably roasted or toasted)
• 1/4 cup honey (or maple syrup, or light molasses)
• 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar (optional but they seem to stick a bit better with sugar)
• 1/3 cup nut butter (e.g., peanut, almond, cashew, soynut)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Optional: 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

DIRECTIONS:

1.  Combine the rice cereal, oats, flaxseed meal, dried fruit, and nuts in a large bowl.

2.  Bring the honey and brown sugar to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat (I have used agave nectar for part of the honey/syrup but never used entirely agave), stirring constantly; remove from heat.

3. Stir in nut butter and vanilla until blended (I leave on heat but lower the temp while adding the nut butter and stir until all smooth)

4.  Pour nut butter mixture over cereal mixture, stirring until all dry ingredients are coated (mixture will be stiff).  The nut butter mix can be hot at first so check temp and then feel free to let the kids mix and squeeze with their hands in order to incorporate the two mixtures together.

5.  Press mixture firmly into an 8-inch square pan (sprayed with nonstick cooking spray) using a large square of wax paper. Use a larger 9 x 12 pan or 1/4 sheet pan if doubling).  The kids love to partake in this step as well.

6. Cool in pan. Cut into whatever size bars are needed in your house.

Wrap bars in wax paper if being eaten soon (they will keep like this for a week or so) or wrap bars tightly in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator.  If storing in the refrigerator, take out and bring to room temp before eating.

Just got this Press Release from our friend, Jean Valentine-Chase:

The First United Presbyterian Church in Pine Plains warmly invites our community to a “Hot Chili for Haiti ” Fundraiser on Saturday, February 20 in the Fellowship Hall from 4 to 7 pm.

The eat-in supper includes a bowl of chili, muffin or roll, dessert, and coffee or tea for $8./adult and $4./child under 10 years.  Chili also is available to purchase for $10./quart.  Although reservations are not necessary, quarts of chili may be pre-ordered by phoning 398.1380 .

Our church has a special connection to Haiti as we have “adopted” a ten year old Haitian girl, Dahana Jean Guillaume, who lives with her parents and two sisters in a farming community that has been severely affected by HIV and AIDS.  We have received word that Dahana and her family are safe following the devastating earthquake in Port au Prince.

In addition to sending donations through World Vision, our Sunday School children have been writing letters and cards to Dahana and have been concerned about her and her family. Our donations to World Vision have helped Dahana’s family by providing nutritious food, clean water, health care, education, and spiritual nurturing.

The Sunday School children will make some of the chili, decorate placemats, and be servers at the supper under the guidance of their teachers, Madelin Chase and Brendan Kilpatrick.

If unable to attend our chili supper, donations are gladly accepted and money will be sent to Haiti via the Presbyterian Disaster Fund. You may mail a donation to The First United Presbyterian Church, PO Box 313 , Pine Plains , NY 12567

Jeanne Valentine-Chase
518.398.5247