Vermont Shortbread Company

Holiday Craft Shop at University Mall

Just a quick reminder that the holiday craft shop at the University Mall in South Burlington opens on Friday, November 2nd. 

If you live in the Burlington area and prefer to pick up your holiday shortbread rather than using our convenient shipping service, stop by anytime during regular mall hours to make your purchase. 

I'm still looking for folks interested in working a few shifts at the store.  I will not be working there this year and will only be stopping by to check my inventory and display. 

BTW, if you're in the Barre-Montpelier area, we'll also be selling at the Barre Firehouse craft shop.  It's an old firehouse converted into a craft shop, coffee shop, and florist.  Very cool!  I'll have more info about when we'll be starting shortbread sales there after I get the U-Mall booth set up. 

I'm off to Connecticut and don't know exactly when I'll be back in Vermont, so toodles until the beginning of November.  Can you believe it's only 3 1/2 weeks till turkey day? ! This is going to be the biggest shortbread season ever! 

A Big Shortbread Day

Today's the Vermont Venture Network presentation, bright and early at the Hilton on the Burlington waterfront.  I'm ready and feeling confident. 

Then I change into my delivery girl clothes and will package and deliver our famous shortbread to some of my favorite customers in the Chittenden County:  Vermont Green Grocer in Richmond, Beaudry's in Huntington, Sweet Clover Market in Essex.  It's flying off the shelves and I'm flying all over Vermont to keep customers in shortbread.  Soon my cute little Saab will need to be traded for a big truck.   

Later this afternoon, I'll be shooting a commercial with my pals from Henhouse Media.  If you do nothing else, go check out their site.  And if you ever meet owner, Johnny Mendez, ask him about his obsession with all things fowl.  His place is loaded with chickens and his story is sure to have you in stitches as it did me.  The creative energy there is outrageously fowl and fun. 

Later this week and into next, we'll be setting up shop in the University Mall and in the Barre Firehouse Craft Shop.  I'll be needing some staffing for the U-Mall gig.  Anyone local want to work at the mall for a few shifts to help me out?  Email me at ann@vermontshortbread.com.   

How many shopping days are there until Christmas?  I still haven't counted.  I probably should.  My busy season officially begins next week.  Is Vermont Shortbread Company ready?  Heck, yeah.  Bring it on.  Order shortbread for Thanksgiving and Christmas now.  You'll be glad you saved yourself the stress that always comes with holiday shopping.  Let us make your 2007 gift giving successful.  We are grateful for you helping to make 2007 our biggest growth year to date! 

Holiday Shortbread Parties

I'm heading to my home state of Connecticut this weekend for a holiday open house hosted by an old college pal.  She started this tradition last year and invited a few of her small business friends to bring their wares and set up shop so guests could do their holiday shopping early and in the company of good friends munching on snacks and sipping wine.  Pretty cool, huh?  All that was missing last year from my friend's party was shortbread.  I remember I had another commitment and I missed out on great pre-holiday sales! 

So, picture this, shortbread friends:

A group of friends gathered in your house, sampling delicious baked goods, sipping tea (or wine, if you prefer) and shopping for the holidays with NO STRESS! Perhaps a fire is gently crackling in the fireplace and your kids and husband have gone out for pizza.  Everyone's relaxing with their shoes off (ever holiday shopped like THAT before?). You're laughing with your friends while a buttery morsel of shortbread melts in your mouth and a "MMMMMMmmmm..." escapes from your lips as you take a sip of Earl Grey tea.  You never knew holiday shopping could be so carefree, so easy. 

You as the host, get a discount off your entire holiday shortbread order and your friends get a 10% discount if they order more than $75 of shortbread products.  Invite your friends who sell homemade jewelry, quilts, whatever to join the fun and sell their stuff and think of all the stress you've saved everyone! 

Want more info on hosting your own holiday shortbread party? 

Email me today - ann@vermontshortbread.com for details and benefits TO YOU.  We're booking fast and there are not very many shopping days left till Thanksgiving and Christmas...so book now while we still have a few openings left! 

Get Your Fresh-Baked Hot ShortTips Here!

If you are one of my many eager customers trying our new brown sugar-spice shortbread for your Thanksgiving dessert, follow these hot ShortTips for a perfect Thanksgiving dessert:

1. Remove shortbread from its protective plastic wrap to reveal its lovely golden brown petticoat tails.  Try to hold off until Thanksgiving day if you possibly can. I dare ya :-)
2. Place whole beautiful shortbread on a microwave-safe dessert platter.  Resist the urge to break off just a tiny wedge to "make sure it tastes okay".
3. Place plate (with shortbread assuming there's some left if you followed step 2 correctly) in the microwave and nuke it for about 15 seconds.
4. Open microwave door and allow the cinnamon and nutmeggy aroma to wrap itself around your head and remind you of grandma's cooking. Note that it smells kind of like pumpkin pie. Never mind if your mouth says, "I'm so stuffed, I can't eat another bite."  This is Thanksgiving, man! Don't kid yourself - you WILL eat another bite before drifting off for a nap in front of the tellie.
5. Optional vanilla ice cream and/or whipped cream may be enjoyed with the shortbread at the table.  A hot steamy mug of tea, hot chocolate, mulled cider, or coffee complete the experience .  Okay, friend, now you may have your tryptophen-induced nap. 

I'm a Hallow Weenie

I'm sorry.  I just can't get into Halloween.  Never have, never will.  The whole costume thing is not for me.  I wasn't much into it as a kid (though I loved the candy part of the day) and I'm sure as shortbread not into it as an adult. 

So, what will I be doing tonight when all the wee ones are out trick-or-treating?  I'll retire to my laboratory (umm...my shortbread bakery), don my witch's uniform (umm...baker's garb) and whip up a potion (new brown sugar and spice shortbread) sure to cast a happy spell on my Thanksgiving customers. 

Thanksgiving...now there's a holiday I can sink my teeth into.  Pun intended. 

I have so much to do to prepare!  How about you?  Already stressing about pumpkin pie and turkey?  I can't help much with the turkey, but I can help with dessert.  Why not consider Vermont Shortbread this year as an alternative to or addition to the usual holiday desserts?  Our festive brown sugar and spice shortbread smells just like pumpkin pie when you heat it in the microwave for a few seconds. 

Thanksgiving is a mere three (YIKES!) weeks away.  It's time to think about your menu now.  Let Vermont Shortbread Company lighten your holiday baking load.

Place your online order for shortbread by mail today!