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Hello to everybody while it's still Saturday

Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2011 9:31 pm
by Emily Rumspringa
I've been wanting to check in with all of you, but you wouldn't believe how busy I've been since I was last here. I've become an entrepreneur! In fact, I got a certificate from the local Chamber of Commerce that declares me to to be Entrepreneur of the Year. I'm not saying that to be braggy. I'm just telling you.

At first, I was deeply insulted and horrified. I knew that an entrepreneur was somebody who had a business or service. I knew a chamber was a bedroom. I knew commerce involved money. I'd never heard of the Chamber of Commerce, so I thought I was being accused of providing naughty ladies' services for money. I cried and cried until I showed the letter to Mary Margaret. She explained that this chamber was an organization, not a bedroom, and that the whole thing was meant to honor me for the surprising growth of my jams and jellies business. So why didn't they just say so? I forgave them when they invited me to a lovely awards dinner. I wore my best apron.

Anyway, you may remember that last year in the months before Christmas, I started selling my jams and jellies on consignment in the local Stirbuck's store. They did very well -- so well, in fact, that the regional Stirbuck's executives got wind of them and paid me a visit. They wanted me to make lots of jam and lots and lots of jelly to sell in all their area stores this year. They guaranteed that they would place an order of X amount, and they would advance me enough money to build a commercial kitchen onto my house so it could meet all the health code laws. Following the law is very important to them and to me, so we agreed on that. My piggy pups hate the new kitchen, because they are not allowed to go inside it, poor babies. It's okay, though, as I try to make all their favorite cooking smells in my old kitchen as often as possible, so they know where to hang out. Building the new kitchen and getting it hooked up to electricity, which is part of the legal stuff, took two or three months. In the meantime, I was calculating my expected personal harvest and arranging to buy more fruit from my farm neighbors, getting appliances and big pots, ordering more glass jars and lids than I ever thought I'd see in my life, and hiring helpers from the local Amish community.

Several young wives wanted to help me with the cooking for the opportunity to earn a little extra money. Young men without farms of their own asked to help with the shipping and other chores. A number of teenaged girls said they would work to sew "my special touch" for the jars -- simple, square, miniature quilts are tied over every lid, which makes the jams stand out on the store shelf and identifies them as coming from Emily's Kitchen, even for people who don't read very well but whose tongues know what tastes delicious. The quilt squares also can be used on the table to hold hot dishes, so it's a little extra something for the customer.

At this point, we've finished with all the jam and jelly making for this season, and the young men are boxing the jars and getting everything ready to ship. They will be sold in stores across this region, so if you are buying coffee and see them, think of me thinking of you.

Oh, and I even have my own computer now! The elders told me that they thought it was okay to get one because it would simplify my business communications and bookkeeping. I still wouldn't use it on Sunday, of course, so that's why I'm hurrying to tell you all of this tonight.

Helmut is doing fine, too. He is semi-retired, due to his recurring hoof problem, so I'll probably be looking for a new horse soon. I'll pick one that Helmut likes, as Helmut can kick the hay in my barn (and pull my carriage if he feels up to it) for the rest of his life.

Mary Margaret is still working at the library, and she is such a dear! (Ahem, marleysghost.) She comes to visit me often, or vice versa, and we laugh so much together. The only downside of this entrepreneuring is that I don't make it to the Sears as often as I'd like, but if we don't have too much snow, I may be able to make up for that in coming months.

May the sun shine on all of you!

Re: Hello to everybody while it's still Saturday

Posted: Sun Oct 23, 2011 11:27 am
by ulysses5019
Emily Rumspringa wrote:I've been wanting to check in with all of you, but you wouldn't believe how busy I've been since I was last here. I've become an entrepreneur! In fact, I got a certificate from the local Chamber of Commerce that declares me to to be Entrepreneur of the Year. I'm not saying that to be braggy. I'm just telling you.

At first, I was deeply insulted and horrified. I knew that an entrepreneur was somebody who had a business or service. I knew a chamber was a bedroom. I knew commerce involved money. I'd never heard of the Chamber of Commerce, so I thought I was being accused of providing naughty ladies' services for money. I cried and cried until I showed the letter to Mary Margaret. She explained that this chamber was an organization, not a bedroom, and that the whole thing was meant to honor me for the surprising growth of my jams and jellies business. So why didn't they just say so? I forgave them when they invited me to a lovely awards dinner. I wore my best apron.

Anyway, you may remember that last year in the months before Christmas, I started selling my jams and jellies on consignment in the local Stirbuck's store. They did very well -- so well, in fact, that the regional Stirbuck's executives got wind of them and paid me a visit. They wanted me to make lots of jam and lots and lots of jelly to sell in all their area stores this year. They guaranteed that they would place an order of X amount, and they would advance me enough money to build a commercial kitchen onto my house so it could meet all the health code laws. Following the law is very important to them and to me, so we agreed on that. My piggy pups hate the new kitchen, because they are not allowed to go inside it, poor babies. It's okay, though, as I try to make all their favorite cooking smells in my old kitchen as often as possible, so they know where to hang out. Building the new kitchen and getting it hooked up to electricity, which is part of the legal stuff, took two or three months. In the meantime, I was calculating my expected personal harvest and arranging to buy more fruit from my farm neighbors, getting appliances and big pots, ordering more glass jars and lids than I ever thought I'd see in my life, and hiring helpers from the local Amish community.

Several young wives wanted to help me with the cooking for the opportunity to earn a little extra money. Young men without farms of their own asked to help with the shipping and other chores. A number of teenaged girls said they would work to sew "my special touch" for the jars -- simple, square, miniature quilts are tied over every lid, which makes the jams stand out on the store shelf and identifies them as coming from Emily's Kitchen, even for people who don't read very well but whose tongues know what tastes delicious. The quilt squares also can be used on the table to hold hot dishes, so it's a little extra something for the customer.

At this point, we've finished with all the jam and jelly making for this season, and the young men are boxing the jars and getting everything ready to ship. They will be sold in stores across this region, so if you are buying coffee and see them, think of me thinking of you.

Oh, and I even have my own computer now! The elders told me that they thought it was okay to get one because it would simplify my business communications and bookkeeping. I still wouldn't use it on Sunday, of course, so that's why I'm hurrying to tell you all of this tonight.

Helmut is doing fine, too. He is semi-retired, due to his recurring hoof problem, so I'll probably be looking for a new horse soon. I'll pick one that Helmut likes, as Helmut can kick the hay in my barn (and pull my carriage if he feels up to it) for the rest of his life.

Mary Margaret is still working at the library, and she is such a dear! (Ahem, marleysghost.) She comes to visit me often, or vice versa, and we laugh so much together. The only downside of this entrepreneuring is that I don't make it to the Sears as often as I'd like, but if we don't have too much snow, I may be able to make up for that in coming months.

May the sun shine on all of you!

Hey Em, did you know any of those kids on Amish in the City?

Re: Hello to everybody while it's still Saturday

Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2011 9:00 am
by Emily Rumspringa
ulysses5019 wrote:
Hey Em, did you know any of those kids on Amish in the City?
That was a television show, right? I don't have a television set, so I never saw it. I don't think it was ever on in the tv section when I shopped at the Sears for fabric and thread.

When the youth in my communitiy get the crazies, they usually just go to Pittsburgh.

Re: Hello to everybody while it's still Saturday

Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2011 12:11 pm
by christie1111
Emily Rumspringa wrote:
ulysses5019 wrote:
Hey Em, did you know any of those kids on Amish in the City?
That was a television show, right? I don't have a television set, so I never saw it. I don't think it was ever on in the tv section when I shopped at the Sears for fabric and thread.

When the youth in my communitiy get the crazies, they usually just go to Pittsburgh.
Well, you would have to be crazy to want to go to Pittsburgh.

Getting any quilting done? I have taken my autumn leaf quilt back out and have started working on it. Maybe this will be the year I finish it.

Re: Hello to everybody while it's still Saturday

Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2011 11:14 pm
by SportsFan68
Yay, Emily!!

So wonderful to see you!

I cherish small business entrepreneurs above any other kind of business. You will not appreciate this, but I signed a petition in favor of a small business liquor store about a block from my house. It had formerly been a "Curves for Women," but there weren't enough customers. Then about two weeks later, two ladies came by asking me to sign a petition against the liquor since it was so close to such a nice residential neighborhood (I took that as a compliment . . . ), but I told them the same thing I just told you about valuing small businesses. Perhaps if they were so anxious for a liquor store not to go in, they should have been Curves customers and brought their friends.

Re: Hello to everybody while it's still Saturday

Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 7:52 am
by littlebeast13
SportsFan68 wrote:Yay, Emily!!

So wonderful to see you!

I cherish small business entrepreneurs above any other kind of business. You will not appreciate this, but I signed a petition in favor of a small business liquor store about a block from my house. It had formerly been a "Curves for Women," but there weren't enough customers. Then about two weeks later, two ladies came by asking me to sign a petition against the liquor since it was so close to such a nice residential neighborhood (I took that as a compliment . . . ), but I told them the same thing I just told you about valuing small businesses. Perhaps if they were so anxious for a liquor store not to go in, they should have been Curves customers and brought their friends.

It just isn't the same without being able to use ES......

lb13

Re: Hello to everybody while it's still Saturday

Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 7:58 am
by MarleysGh0st
littlebeast13 wrote:
SportsFan68 wrote:Yay, Emily!!

So wonderful to see you!

I cherish small business entrepreneurs above any other kind of business. You will not appreciate this, but I signed a petition in favor of a small business liquor store about a block from my house. It had formerly been a "Curves for Women," but there weren't enough customers. Then about two weeks later, two ladies came by asking me to sign a petition against the liquor since it was so close to such a nice residential neighborhood (I took that as a compliment . . . ), but I told them the same thing I just told you about valuing small businesses. Perhaps if they were so anxious for a liquor store not to go in, they should have been Curves customers and brought their friends.

It just isn't the same without being able to use ES......

lb13
Found it!

Re: Hello to everybody while it's still Saturday

Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 12:49 pm
by Emily Rumspringa
christie1111 wrote: Getting any quilting done? I have taken my autumn leaf quilt back out and have started working on it. Maybe this will be the year I finish it.
Last winter, before the jams and jellies took over my life for a while, I finished a lovely quilt top. It has diagonal stripes of blues, greens and violets on a black background. I like it a lot. I may finish the quilt and keep it for myself.

I used to sell almost all of my quilts, but it did make me shake my head every time some nice young Englischer with cash in hand would say, "Oh, I am so happy to find a quilt with great colors in such a contemporary style." To me, of course, the style was totally traditional.

I would send a picture of it, but of course I don't own a camera.

Re: Hello to everybody while it's still Saturday

Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 1:02 pm
by Emily Rumspringa
SportsFan68 wrote:Yay, Emily!!

So wonderful to see you!

I cherish small business entrepreneurs above any other kind of business. You will not appreciate this, but I signed a petition in favor of a small business liquor store about a block from my house. It had formerly been a "Curves for Women," but there weren't enough customers. Then about two weeks later, two ladies came by asking me to sign a petition against the liquor since it was so close to such a nice residential neighborhood (I took that as a compliment . . . ), but I told them the same thing I just told you about valuing small businesses. Perhaps if they were so anxious for a liquor store not to go in, they should have been Curves customers and brought their friends.
I do not know what a Curves for Women store sells. That does not sound wholesome to me. I do know what a liquor store sells. I tasted some liquor once when I was 16 and trying to be wild. I didn't like it, and I went home early.

Re: Hello to everybody while it's still Saturday

Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 11:34 pm
by SportsFan68
littlebeast13 wrote:
SportsFan68 wrote:Yay, Emily!!

So wonderful to see you!

I cherish small business entrepreneurs above any other kind of business. You will not appreciate this, but I signed a petition in favor of a small business liquor store about a block from my house. It had formerly been a "Curves for Women," but there weren't enough customers. Then about two weeks later, two ladies came by asking me to sign a petition against the liquor since it was so close to such a nice residential neighborhood (I took that as a compliment . . . ), but I told them the same thing I just told you about valuing small businesses. Perhaps if they were so anxious for a liquor store not to go in, they should have been Curves customers and brought their friends.

It just isn't the same without being able to use ES......

lb13
You're right, it's not the same.

It's better.

Re: Hello to everybody while it's still Saturday

Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2011 6:20 am
by littlebeast13
SportsFan68 wrote:
littlebeast13 wrote:
SportsFan68 wrote:Yay, Emily!!

So wonderful to see you!

I cherish small business entrepreneurs above any other kind of business. You will not appreciate this, but I signed a petition in favor of a small business liquor store about a block from my house. It had formerly been a "Curves for Women," but there weren't enough customers. Then about two weeks later, two ladies came by asking me to sign a petition against the liquor since it was so close to such a nice residential neighborhood (I took that as a compliment . . . ), but I told them the same thing I just told you about valuing small businesses. Perhaps if they were so anxious for a liquor store not to go in, they should have been Curves customers and brought their friends.

It just isn't the same without being able to use ES......

lb13
You're right, it's not the same.

It's better.

Enjoy it while it lasts....

lb13

Re: Hello to everybody while it's still Saturday

Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2011 11:12 am
by SportsFan68
littlebeast13 wrote:
SportsFan68 wrote:
littlebeast13 wrote:

It just isn't the same without being able to use ES......

lb13
You're right, it's not the same.

It's better.

Enjoy it while it lasts....

lb13
I am.

And just in case you've been watching the Weather Channel, you can forget about any snow pictures. We didn't get any snow where I live, just rain.

Re: Hello to everybody while it's still Saturday

Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2011 11:17 am
by Queen Fantine VIII
SportsFan68 wrote:
littlebeast13 wrote:
SportsFan68 wrote:
You're right, it's not the same.

It's better.

Enjoy it while it lasts....

lb13
I am.

And just in case you've been watching the Weather Channel, you can forget about any snow pictures. We didn't get any snow where I live, just rain.
Would you like some of ours? According to the yardstick on my deck, it's 5 inches high and risin'.

According to the weather report, it will be back into the 70s by the weekend and Halloween night promises to be beautiful weather. Of course.... (insert pissed off while rolling eyes emoticon here)

Re: Hello to everybody while it's still Saturday

Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2011 11:23 am
by SportsFan68
Queen Fantine VIII wrote:
SportsFan68 wrote:
littlebeast13 wrote:

Enjoy it while it lasts....

lb13
I am.

And just in case you've been watching the Weather Channel, you can forget about any snow pictures. We didn't get any snow where I live, just rain.
Would you like some of ours? According to the yardstick on my deck, it's 5 inches high and risin'.

According to the weather report, it will be back into the 70s by the weekend and Halloween night promises to be beautiful weather. Of course.... (insert pissed off while rolling eyes emoticon here)
Yep -- 70 on Sunday, 39 right now, back to 60 on Halloween.

:roll: (Rolling my eyes but not pissed off. . .)