I mean…seriously gorgeous!

Check out the ceiling.  The inner 8-year-old-me wanted to grab a “Nancy Drew” book, blanket, and lay down on the floor so I could stare at this!

And those railings!!!  I mean serious beauty.  I have to say the way the books are “color coordinated” (yes I know that they are law books and in series) just sends me over-the-moon!

The spiral stairs are so elegant!  Only the librarians are allowed on them.

And the view to downtown Des Moines from the library’s windows.

This is the end of my tour of the State Capitol – where do you find beauty in unexpected places?

So when I went down this year to speak in front of the House Agriculture Committee, I went with designer’s eyes.  I was in awe of the beauty.  I took pictures every where the majestic building took my breath away.

I was lucky enough to be able to invite my parents with me.  I wanted to share this small moment with them…they have given me such incredible support and strength throughout my life.

And Steve Larson of Train Wreck Winery of Algona:

We were introduced to the Iowa House of Representatives when they gavel in at 1:00.  I did my princess wave!  Here is our bird’s-eye view:

Here is a picture of Rep. Tom Shaw “at work”.  I tell you…a lot of talking:

Here is Tom’s office.  Seriously…this is it!  Not even a cubicle.  Like his assistant said…you have to be careful all the time.  Everyone can read what is on your computer (hmmm…maybe they would notice my social media addiction??), hear any conversation on the phone, and so on:

The great thing about having an appointment with a Representative (or Senator) or their assistant – you get access into areas that you would otherwise never see!  Such as having our picture taken at the Speaker of the House position: (don’t I like a natural?)

Here is Rep. Tom Shaw reading the preamble to the Iowa Constitution in front of the original document!  This is in the Secretary of State’s office:

Found out that the mixture of ink included lead.  It is now starting to “rust” (really…rust) that is why there is the orange cast on it:

So back to what we were doing there…to speak in front of the House Agriculture Committee about Iowa wines.  Steve of Train Wreck Winery spoke first and then I got up and began:

I kind of blend right into the wall!  And I also now know I speak with my hands no matter what the group:

But I think it went well.  Here is a group picture of Steve, Tom, and myself along with Rep. Annette Sweeny, the Chairwoman of the Ag Committee.

Try to take a day and explore your state capitol…so much better with adult eyes!

So after shipping it, I waited to hear from them about the tree lighting.  When I found out it was going to be the same day that I had an appointment that I couldn’t cancel, I was disappointed.   So I left a message one morning and asked if they could send a picture.

Later that afternoon the executive assistant to the governor, Margaret Hough, called.  I thought she was simply returning my call.  But it turned out that she had another reason.  The conversation went something like this:

Me:  I was wondering if I could have a picture of the ornament emailed to me on the tree?

Margaret:  (sound of someone sucking air in when they are about to say something bad)

Me:  (my thought is…OH NO!  The ornament didn’t survive the trip!)

Margaret:  I’m sorry the dried flower ornament isn’t on the tree.

Me:  (dread…)

Margaret:  Instead it was so lovely that we put it on the chandelier to highlight it.  We were wondering how much it would cost to have more if we decided to purchase some.

YEAH!  So I still waited for pictures.  Didn’t hear from anyone.  Then one day, out of the blue, I got a message on Pinterest from a Miss Fisher who said: “I intern for the governor!!! I saw this!!! we actually ended up hanging it from a chandelier because it’s so beautiful! Thank you!!! “

So I ended up contacting Miss Fisher and got pictures of it hanging up.  Then our area representative, Tom Shaw, also sent pictures.  So here they are…in all their glory!

Miss Fisher also went on to tell where this chandelier is exactly located:

“It is in the formal office:  When you’re on the main floor of the capitol, room 109 is the Governor’s Formal reception room. Once you are in 109 it’s through a second set of double doors in a reception room that leads into the Formal Office. The double doors of all rooms are usually kept open unless the Governor is conducting a meeting in his formal office so we can all see it and enjoy it! The tree that you see in those pictures is the Governor’s Christmas Tree.”

SO COOL!

There is so much to tell you…but I won’t make this newsletter super long.  My goal for 2012 is to start blogging more often than sending out newsletters with all the links.  So I hope to get caught up a little about what has been happening (wait until you find out what happened to the dried floral ornament for the governor!).

* * * *

Here are some highlights of things going on:

• This Tuesday, January 17th we will be having special hours from 1 to 6.  Peggy will be at Heart ‘n Home from 1 to 4 and Justin will be taking over from 4 to 6!  Stop by…check out our new look…and visit with them!
• Saturday, January 21st is our VIP NIGHT for our Christmas Open House winner, Tracy Heuton.  Tracy and 5 of her friends will be pampered and treated like queens!
• Saturday, January 28th at Women in Denim (see our events tab above or scroll down for pictures) – Julie will be presenting 2 seminars.  CLICK HERE TO READ ALL ABOUT IT
• Thursday, February 9th – “Cocktails, Mocktails, and Store Trails” from 4 to 8.  We will be serving a cocktail and mocktail PLUS Dipsy Daisy will be here serving their ever-so-yummy dips in new and inventive ways!  Sorry…I don’t know who else is participating in town yet…will get you more information later.
• Thursday, March 15th – “Everything Is Better With Bacon” – Julie is presenting a cooking seminar at Elements in Storm Lake.
• Saturday, March 24th – Heart ‘n Home SPRING OPEN HOUSE from 10 to 4

* * * *

Here is what has been going on:

We have the store reset and we took inventory.  Whew!  We separated our counters:

There is only 1 counter by the frames…so much better when helping select frames and matting.  Plus we will use this during events to have 2 check out areas!

If you look by the corner of the wall and arch…there is the new checkout area!  It really opens up the area to go to the backroom where we host our events!

Getting store filled back up (looking towards front door)

Front window – LOVE!

And our side window I did in a wedding theme.  Why?  Because I have wedding on the brain…our beautiful Meghan Brugman is getting MARRIED!  Jeff popped the question right before Christmas!  And she said YES!  So they are planning a fall 2012 wedding – and she asked if I could help!  YIPPPEEEEE!!!!!!!!

* * * *

Such big plans for 2012…so much to look forward too!  But I have a question for you:

What would YOU like to see Heart ‘n Home carry?  Or events you would like to have?  I really want your opinion!  Sometimes we can get carried away by the influence of sales reps – and I want to stay true to your desires.  What can we do to make Heart ‘n Home better?  Please feel free to call me at 712.841.2546 or toll-free 1.866.627.3780 or send me an email to :  julie@heartnhomeonline.com 

Filed under: Newsletter Tagged: Dipsy Daisy, Events, Heart 'n Home, Newsletter, Wedding ]]> http://heartnhomeonline.wordpress.com/2012/01/13/newsletter-january-13-2012/feed/ 0 42.847291 -94.851086 42.847291 -94.851086 heartnhomeonline Consulting Area for Framing at Heart 'n Home Counter is moved at Heart 'n Home View of Heart 'n Home Front Window of Heart 'n Home Side Window of Heart 'n Home http://heartnhomeonline.wordpress.com/2012/01/03/presenting-at-elements-in-storm-lake/ http://heartnhomeonline.wordpress.com/2012/01/03/presenting-at-elements-in-storm-lake/#comments Tue, 03 Jan 2012 22:33:39 +0000 Heart 'n Home http://heartnhomeonline.wordpress.com/?p=1962 Continue reading →]]> I was amazed honored when I got a phone call from Marceen of Elements by K Sorbe in Storm Lake asking me if I would return to do another cooking class.  Would I???  Of course!  I had so much fun at the last one.

After beating my brain thinking of a “theme” – bacon was brought up.  YES!  Bacon…the candy of meat!  I love bacon…yummy!  So the cooking class will be “Everything Is Better With Bacon”.  Appetizer to dessert and a few things thrown in the middle.

I am presenting on Thursday, March 15th at 6:00 pm.  You have to call Elements at 712.732.2386 to reserve your ticket and space.

SORRY – NO GIFT WRAPPING ON SALE ITEMS

Be sure to sign up on the blog at www.heartnhomeonline.wordpress.com for more updates!

On December 1st we had a Christmas Party with Dipsy Daisy sampling their dips and beer breads while Santa Maria winery sampled wines!

Tina & Katie of Dipsy Daisy - these girls know how to have fun!

Rose, owner of Santa Maria, and Justin!

Busy working...

A big thank you to both of these companies for making it such a successful night!

RECIPES:  We have added (and will continue to add) recipes on the above “tab” that says recipes or to top right of this page.  We did add the “Dipsy Daisy’s Chicken Curry” recipe from December 1st!

DID YOU KNOW:

That we know carry a few whole-bean coffees?  Yep!  There is one called “Rebellion Blend” which can be used for drip coffee or as an espresso.  We also sell electric coffee grinders.

That we just got a fresh new supply of Ardon Creek Winery wines?  YES!  Commission Man Red, Artesian White II (very popular sweet white), and Holiday White Wine.

One of our “specialties” is our gift baskets!  Plus we can create one for you at any budget!!!

"Everything You Need" Coffee basket including an electric coffee grinder!

Gift basket with a wonderful "relax" cup with coffee and our triple-chocolate espresso bean candy!

Great Advice:

This was on Facebook from the Laurens Police Department – but I believe we all need this reminder:

“This Holiday Season, don’t advertise expensive gifts to would-be burglars by leaving empty gift boxes from your new computer, flat-screen TV or other item(s) on the curb. Instead, break down the boxes and place them in large garbage bags to conceal the items. Better yet, take boxes directly to a recycling center after gifts have been opened.”

More Coming:

I will be doing some small notices here and there but won’t include them in the newsletter. If you wish to follow the pictures, recipes, etc on a faster basis (than I can seem to get out in the newsletter!) simply sign up by here (if this doesn’t work…simply click on this newsletter and look at the right side of the blog and you will see it there):

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CHICKEN CURRY TORTILLA ROLL-UPS

* Recipe from Dipsy Daisy Dips – sampled on December 1st, 2011 at Heart ‘n Home

Ingredients:

• 2 Chicken Breasts*
• Pinch of salt
• 1 Tablespoon olive oil or vegetable oil
• 3 baby carrots or 1 regular carrot
• 2 green onions
• 1/2 to 3/4 cups of “A Touch of Curry” Dipsy Daisy Dip – make dip according to package directions
• Flour tortilla shells

Directions:

1. Add oil to a skillet and heat over medium heat.  Add chicken breasts to pan and sprinkle with salt.  Cook chicken thoroughly flipping after about 5 minutes.  Allow to cool and chop finely.
2. Put into chicken into bowl along with carrots and green onion that have been finely chopped.  Stir in 1/2 cup of the curry dip.  (Note from Dipsy Daisy:  you can put it into a food processor to get a smoother consistency).  Add more of the dip if needed.
3. Spread about 1/4 cup of the mixture onto flour tortilla shell and roll up.  Repeat on other tortillas.
4. Cut into 1/2″ slices (discarding ends) and arrange on a plate to serve immediately or wrap uncut wraps in plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.

*Canned chicken can also be used but drain thoroughly and mash with a fork before adding to other ingredients.  This is also a great recipe to use leftover rotisserie chicken or leftover turkey.