I LOVE Fall! Not only is the oppressive heat of summer relenting, but the cool crisp morning air reminds me it is time to make fudge. Yeah!!
For two months I make fudge. It started several years ago with my personal desire to find a fudge receipe I liked to eat. Now it's a project with a life of its own...haha I make dozens of batches each year! And the coolest part - I don't actually eat much of it. My thing is eating the warm fudge out of the pot...and when I make fudge several times a week - I get to eat my warm spoonful and I'm good for a couple days.
My grandmother used to make fudge from powdered Cocoa. I remember watching drops of hot fudge hit the water in a glass and sink to the bottom. Somehow she could tell by the way the hot fudge reacted with the cold water if it was done. I never could tell. And tried quite unsuccessfully, several times, to duplicate her powdered cocoa fudge.
Another memory is of one of my best friends in school's mother. She made marshmellow creme fudge. And it didn't seem as long or complicated a process as grandma's fudge. That was good fudge - though not real fudgy tasting. I think the marshmellow to chocolate ratio was off a little.
Then came the times I started playing with the receipes that I liked. Now I finally have a fudge receipe that will work with most flavors of chocolate, and of course peanut butter. It's creamy and soft - but holds a good shape if kept semi cool. Good stuff!!
My fudge ritual now includes family and friends, as well as favorite clients. I even have some friends/business associates who have used my fudge as gifts to their own clients.
My friends tease me a little near the end of summer. I send out a 'notice' about fudge season...haha Most of the ones who get fudge every year have learned to get their 'orders' in early so I'll put them on my calendar. I try to make the fudge no more than a week before it is delivered so it will be as fresh as possible and give them more time to use/eat, deliver or freeze.
And I've tried a couple new flavors because of friends requests. Personally I don't like peanut butter fudge - it's just too strong for my tastes. But several friends requested it, I tried it one year to let them see if the flavor would work, and now I have people with standing yearly 'orders' for peanut butter fudge.
We've also come up with several creative ways to package the goodies:
Leave it in cake form for them to cut later - just wrap it in color plastic wrap and add some ribbons - looks good and goes straight into the frig for keeping. I have a couple friends who like to cut their own. They 'say' its so they won't nibble on it until it is cut for a party or gathering. That might work...
Cut it up before - and put several pieces in a decorative baggie with a ribbon and card. One client orders fudge from me to put as party favors for their office/client Christmas dinner/party. She wraps pieces up in a baggie with a business card and ribbon for clients and guests to take with them as they leave. "Party Favor Fudge" This is a good way to use a little fudge for a lot of little gifts...
This year one client has asked me to cut it in shapes - like you would cookies - trees, Santa, bells. It'll be fun trying. I can't decide if I should poor the fudge into the shapes and let it cool that way or just cut the shapes afterwards. Remember, fudge is usually thicker than cookies. No promises - this will be interesting. I'll have to let you know on this one.
I'd love to hear other ideas.
.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Customer Service AFTER the sale
This is one story I love to tell...It fascinates me! This past Spring I had all the windows in my home replaced. I contacted a company from a personal referral. I love personal referrals for service companies.
One of the owners is the quoting manager. He came out, answered my questions, told me the procedure and what to expect, then gave me a quote. I had done my homework before hand and pretty much decided on him before he arrived. The only pieces I needed were to gauge him personally and get the amount. He was easy to deal with and the price turned out to be about what I expected and I wrote the 40% check.
It took a couple weeks for my windows to come in. His administrative assistant called me twice during that time to check in. Very nice touch.
When the windows arrived she called back to schedule the install. We set a day and she told me what to expect: vehicle, number of guys, names, etc. (VERY nice touch). I mentioned to her, I'd like to get the company to do some other little touch up things to my siding edging and roof. They have a department for those requests and she told me the owner would come out on my install day to check on his guys and to show him what I wanted done. Sounded great!
The two guys that came to install: I couldn't have been more pleased with them. They were polite and respectful of me and my home. They told me in the beginning what they'd be doing and when they'd need to be inside. They also worked around my need to keep my cats in safe rooms while they were working. If you've never had windows replaced, they take the old ones out and leave holes in the walls until the new ones are put in...in my case, one guy was taking the old ones out and the other was a couple windows behind him putting the new ones in. So there were some challenges moving the cats around so they wouldn't be in a room with no windows or in a room with a strange person making strange noises.
Anyway - the whole install went beautifully. I was extremely pleased with them and the new windows. But the owner never did come by.
A couple of days later I called the assistant back and asked about getting a quote to do all those other little things. I also told her I wanted to talk to the owner about the guys who installed the windows. She said she'd have him call me. No one ever called or came by.
The next week I called in and left a voice mail. The owner finally called and came out the next day. We looked at what I wanted done and he told me what it would cost and promised to have someone call me to schedule a day to get it done. He asked me about the installers. I told him I wanted to tell him how pleased I was with them. That they did a great job and I appreciated their attitude and work. The owner seemed shocked. He apparently isn't prepared for compliments.
Now - to finish the story. It's been almost 6 months. My windows are still great, but no one ever called back or showed up to do all those other little things I wanted done. About half way through the summer, I hired someone else.
To this day - even though I'm pleased with the windows and the actual installers (and the reasonable price) - I will not refer that company to any one. Point blank. The owner, who was a personal referral ruined my perception with terrible post install customer service and a complete lack of follow up.
However, this reinforced my own follow up practices.
One of the owners is the quoting manager. He came out, answered my questions, told me the procedure and what to expect, then gave me a quote. I had done my homework before hand and pretty much decided on him before he arrived. The only pieces I needed were to gauge him personally and get the amount. He was easy to deal with and the price turned out to be about what I expected and I wrote the 40% check.
It took a couple weeks for my windows to come in. His administrative assistant called me twice during that time to check in. Very nice touch.
When the windows arrived she called back to schedule the install. We set a day and she told me what to expect: vehicle, number of guys, names, etc. (VERY nice touch). I mentioned to her, I'd like to get the company to do some other little touch up things to my siding edging and roof. They have a department for those requests and she told me the owner would come out on my install day to check on his guys and to show him what I wanted done. Sounded great!
The two guys that came to install: I couldn't have been more pleased with them. They were polite and respectful of me and my home. They told me in the beginning what they'd be doing and when they'd need to be inside. They also worked around my need to keep my cats in safe rooms while they were working. If you've never had windows replaced, they take the old ones out and leave holes in the walls until the new ones are put in...in my case, one guy was taking the old ones out and the other was a couple windows behind him putting the new ones in. So there were some challenges moving the cats around so they wouldn't be in a room with no windows or in a room with a strange person making strange noises.
Anyway - the whole install went beautifully. I was extremely pleased with them and the new windows. But the owner never did come by.
A couple of days later I called the assistant back and asked about getting a quote to do all those other little things. I also told her I wanted to talk to the owner about the guys who installed the windows. She said she'd have him call me. No one ever called or came by.
The next week I called in and left a voice mail. The owner finally called and came out the next day. We looked at what I wanted done and he told me what it would cost and promised to have someone call me to schedule a day to get it done. He asked me about the installers. I told him I wanted to tell him how pleased I was with them. That they did a great job and I appreciated their attitude and work. The owner seemed shocked. He apparently isn't prepared for compliments.
Now - to finish the story. It's been almost 6 months. My windows are still great, but no one ever called back or showed up to do all those other little things I wanted done. About half way through the summer, I hired someone else.
To this day - even though I'm pleased with the windows and the actual installers (and the reasonable price) - I will not refer that company to any one. Point blank. The owner, who was a personal referral ruined my perception with terrible post install customer service and a complete lack of follow up.
However, this reinforced my own follow up practices.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Mowing for Mental Therapy
I mowed my yard today! And it felt great! No, I'm not sick or expecting company, or anything like that.
It was cloudy and the wind was blowing pretty steady - it's not as much fun with high heat and bright sun baring down. The neighbors weren't home - including all the kids that live in my neighborhood. And my better half was at work. So, I took a long lunch and mowed the yard.
I mowed it to suit me. I got some good exercise walking/pushing/pulling the lawn mower - yes, I push mow. I have a neighbor who ride mows his yard - he spends more time turning around than actually cutting grass. Our yards aren't all that big...haha
I also had time to just not think about anything. I worked quite a bit over the weekend and just enjoyed some time out just focusing on grass and weeds and tree limbs. And I got some exercise at the same time!
Now I feel better and the yard looks great.
Just for the record - I do have weeds - and am very proud of them. In a neighborhood with homes and yards as close as ours are, it's almost impossible to have perfect grass. So I decided years ago, as long as the weeds are green and I can mow them right along with my grass, they look fine to me...hahaha Especially in the spring when they all have pretty flowers.
It was cloudy and the wind was blowing pretty steady - it's not as much fun with high heat and bright sun baring down. The neighbors weren't home - including all the kids that live in my neighborhood. And my better half was at work. So, I took a long lunch and mowed the yard.
I mowed it to suit me. I got some good exercise walking/pushing/pulling the lawn mower - yes, I push mow. I have a neighbor who ride mows his yard - he spends more time turning around than actually cutting grass. Our yards aren't all that big...haha
I also had time to just not think about anything. I worked quite a bit over the weekend and just enjoyed some time out just focusing on grass and weeds and tree limbs. And I got some exercise at the same time!
Now I feel better and the yard looks great.
Just for the record - I do have weeds - and am very proud of them. In a neighborhood with homes and yards as close as ours are, it's almost impossible to have perfect grass. So I decided years ago, as long as the weeds are green and I can mow them right along with my grass, they look fine to me...hahaha Especially in the spring when they all have pretty flowers.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Image
My husband and I tend to frequent certain restaurants. We have one I'd like to mark off the list...all because of the image the owner and her hostesses present.
This place is by no means a fancy place...I wouldn't voluntarily eat there if it was...haha But I do prefer the employees/staff look the part.
The wait staff is dressed in uniforms usually consisting of black pants, white shirts and aprons, with their hair pulled back off their faces - perfect. They are easy to spot and have their mid-driffs covered. There are a few piercings among them - but nothing outrageous.
The hostesses are dressed like teenage girls - actually they are teenage girls - who came directly from a Saturday night out with friends. One in particular always seems to be showing more skin than she covers. They are young - so I understand their psychology of how they should be allowed to dress. But I have an issue seeing someone's bellybutton or thong while I'm trying to eat.
The owner, I think, is the problem. She usually looks like she's been slounging around the house all day and literally got off the couch and came to work. Tonight she was in a pair of tight Capri's, a dirty t-shirt and flip flops. That would be fine if she was working in the back - but she was up front helping seat customers.
I don't get it. I don't understand why the owner of a business that depends on the public's discretion and disposable income to stay in business wouldn't at least pretend and put on a professional front for her clients. At the very least, have the hostesses dress like they have some modesty.
Understand - I really don't care what people wear in the comfort of their own time and space. But, I am becoming annoyed with their lack of respect for my time, space AND MONEY if I CHOOSE to spend any of it in their businesses.
Oh well - I feel better after venting. But, I may have to look for a replacement restaurant for this one.
This place is by no means a fancy place...I wouldn't voluntarily eat there if it was...haha But I do prefer the employees/staff look the part.
The wait staff is dressed in uniforms usually consisting of black pants, white shirts and aprons, with their hair pulled back off their faces - perfect. They are easy to spot and have their mid-driffs covered. There are a few piercings among them - but nothing outrageous.
The hostesses are dressed like teenage girls - actually they are teenage girls - who came directly from a Saturday night out with friends. One in particular always seems to be showing more skin than she covers. They are young - so I understand their psychology of how they should be allowed to dress. But I have an issue seeing someone's bellybutton or thong while I'm trying to eat.
The owner, I think, is the problem. She usually looks like she's been slounging around the house all day and literally got off the couch and came to work. Tonight she was in a pair of tight Capri's, a dirty t-shirt and flip flops. That would be fine if she was working in the back - but she was up front helping seat customers.
I don't get it. I don't understand why the owner of a business that depends on the public's discretion and disposable income to stay in business wouldn't at least pretend and put on a professional front for her clients. At the very least, have the hostesses dress like they have some modesty.
Understand - I really don't care what people wear in the comfort of their own time and space. But, I am becoming annoyed with their lack of respect for my time, space AND MONEY if I CHOOSE to spend any of it in their businesses.
Oh well - I feel better after venting. But, I may have to look for a replacement restaurant for this one.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
The ramblings of the mind...
Hello all!
Welcome to the ramblings of my mind. Scary!
For the most part I'm quite opinionated and have learned to share my opinions. I may 'go off' on good - or bad - customer service; or just ramble about a product, TV show or toy I happen to be occupied with at the moment.
I invite you to comment and add your own ramblings!
Best,
Jenny
Welcome to the ramblings of my mind. Scary!
For the most part I'm quite opinionated and have learned to share my opinions. I may 'go off' on good - or bad - customer service; or just ramble about a product, TV show or toy I happen to be occupied with at the moment.
I invite you to comment and add your own ramblings!
Best,
Jenny
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