Brimfield was a success!

We made it back from our trip to Brimfield, and it was a very successful trip for everyone! I don't think there was one person on the bus that didn't have something. The weather was perfect, the finds were wonderful, and we couldn't have asked for a better group of people who joined us.


As we left saturday afternoon, we had a patio set, a sunroom set, a set of upholstered chairs, lots of gardening goodies, a beautiful shappy chic bedroom bench, a glowing crystal chandelier, pillows, mirrors, jewerly boxes....and if you can imagin this, even a living room mantel!

Thank you all who joined us, and we hope to make this an annual trip. Please keep an eye out early Feb 2013 for next years trip announcement. And if you want to make sure you don't miss out, let us know to remind you!

-Chelsea & Pam

The Countdown to Brimfield!

The count down to our trip to Brimfield has begun!  We'll be leaving for the BIG Brimfield Antique Market next Friday and I can't wait for all the good finds.  I'll be sure to take lots of picture while we're there and post when we get back.

If you weren't able to join us this time, hopefully you can next year.  We will definitely make sure this becomes a re-occurring event for KGC.  And if you have any suggestions on other fun and exciting trip we could put together, please let us know. 

Best wishes, Chelsea

Winter has arrived!

Here in Vermont I think many of us were wondering if we'd ever have winter. Well, I'd like to say that I think we have finally gotten it. A bit late, since it's now March 2nd. But we'll take it!

I don't think I share this happiness of the snow with many people but it's wonderful to wake up and see the snow on the trees and snow lightly falling. And yes, I know it is probably very cold outside, but it's just so pretty!

But with spring coming very soon...they are calling for temps in the high 40's already this weekend (good-bye snow, hello MUD!) it's time to think about making some much needed changes in our homes to get us in the mood for spring. Lighten up your rooms, put away heavy draperies if you change yours, and add some flowers though out the house to feel like spring is on it's way.

And if your really ambitious, grab a can of paint and starting painting that room that has bothered you all winter. No time is better than the present!

Time to get your walking shoes on!

Come join us for the 1st Annual

TJM Run for Lung Cancer Research - 5K run or walk

Sunday, April 29th @ 10:00am

Vergennes Union Elementary School, 43 East Street

Online Registration Eventbrite.com

Keyword: TJM

Advance purchase:

Adults $20 / Under 18: $15

$25 cash only day of race

This race honors Tracy Jill McPhail, who lost a spirited battle with lung cancer at age 25.

Proceeds will be donated to LUNGevity to fund the most promising research into the early detection and successful treatment of lung cancer.

lungevity.org

So Grab Your Walking Shoes and Sign Up Today!

Did you hear....we're going to Brimfield!!

We're Hosting a Bus Trip to the Brimfield Antique Market May 11th & 12th

We would like to invite you on our first ever bus trip to the Brimfield Antique Market! We are so excited to be hosting this exciting trip and hope you'll join us!

Trip Includes

*Round-Trip Deluxe Motor Coach transportation with
on-board Escort
*2 days visit to Brimfield Market
*Overnight Lodging at the Publick House Inn
*Plated Dinner
*Full Buffet Breakfast
*All Taxes, Tips and Gratuities

Please check out our New Events Section on our website for more information including the full itinerary, cost and to sign up.

Seats are limited, so grab a friend and let's go! We look forward to the pleasure of your company!

A late New Years Resolution

With the New Year it's time to get back to some old habbits. And this time I am going to keep my promise! Keeping Good Company has started the New Year strong - with a new website launched last year (but always being updated), new fabrics coming daily and many other new exciting happenings it's time to keep everyone updated with our blog.

As new and exciting things continue to happen for KGC I want to share them with everyone. So I am making a new item on my schedule to blog weekly about what's new and what we are up to. Please be sure to check back to see what we have going on, and I can say with confidence you'll be suprised and impressed with what we have in the works for the coming months!

~Best wishes, Chelsea

Ooops...my bad

Wow how time flyes!!!

I promised I would write one a week...and as we can see from the last post's time stamp, that didn't happen! So ding...round #2!!

It's another wonderful snowy, windy day here in Vermont. And what better thing to do then catch up on some work. So today between running around chasing miss Bella - who by the way, has figured out, if i put my stacking buckets next to the big trunk, i can climb up on top - and working on the new website have found myself back at the computer to finally finish up what I started at 10am this morning.

And, the new website will hopefully be launched and viewable by all within the next few days, if not by tomorrow. Yippie!!!

So keep checking to see if it's up. In case you may have forgotten the site www.kgcvt.com

It's been too long....

I'm a wife, mother, employee, book keeper, designer, cook, cleaning lady and many other things! And because of all this I haven't found the time I once had to sit and write on my lovely blog.

But, the time has come for me to put my foot down and find the time! So here I am, making a deal with myself that I will sit down at least once a week if not more often, and write on my blog.

Here it is almost 10pm and I am bouncing between Internet windows working on a new web page (yes, finally I am creating a new webpage for Keeping Good Company) updating my neglected blog, checking emails and listening to music to keep it all together!

And so I would like to say that I am starting out this snow filled month of February with a personal goal of getting back to things I miss........and my blog world is one of those things.

Custom Vintage Signs

A true favorite of ours! The perfect addition to any home or a great gift for someone who has everything, these Vintage Customized Signs a great!

And now you can order them online at our Market Place! Check out a few options available, and keep checking back as we add more. http://www.kgcvt.com

New Items and Special Savings!

As I spend more time on our Market Place I'm learning new things! In addition to adding new items, I've also discovered how to make the all time favorite COUPON.

Who doesn't like alittle savings here and there! I get excited when mom brings me the coupons from her sunday paper! Anyways.......if you're on our mailing list you should have received this special offer already. If your not, your still special since you're reading this blog.

And for that simple reason....I am going to share the coupon with you.

But I would also incourage you to join our mailing list. (send an email to design@kgcvt.com and ask to be added to our mailing list)

$5.00 OFF any purchase of $25.00 or more when you shop at the MARKET PLACE between now and June 30th, 2010. Enter 01PROMO at checkout.

*Cannot be combined with other coupons. Must be used before 6/30/10 and is off purchase price of $25.00 or more before tax and shipping. Valid on any product on the market place.

New Items

Now Available

The Famous....Archipelago Candles!

Havana, Luna and Madagascar.

And as always, we are accepting special orders for any scent.

www.shop.kgcvt.com

Now Open!

NOW OPEN!

Click here to visit the Keeping Good Company Online Market Place.

Please be sure to check back as we add new products including the all time favorite, Archipelgo Candles and more Furniture.

Market Place

It's Coming! The Keeping Good Company Online Market Place!

I'm putting in the last details, running the last tests, and crossing my fingers I can make it live in the next few days!

Keep checking back - I can't wait for it to be live!

Industrial Look is Hot!

So in doing a little bit of research for some barstools I came across these AWSOME industrial look stools that adjust from counter to bar height.

And then I came across this adorable garden bench

Which then followed by this really cool pub table! Just picture it.....surrounded by four chairs, something funky of course, topped with four micro brews and a big dish of nachos in the middle. Facing of course a large tv screen with your favorite game playing (I will name no team, for I don't want to offend anyone!)

LOVE IT....JUST LOVE IT!

Unexpected Change in Events....

So my goal of having our Market Place up and running by the end of this week won't be happening! But, it isn't all my fault or due to something I could fix (if I could it would probably save me some $$). Yesterday my computer started making it's own decisions (something I wish it would do more often if it would help me!) and decided it would shut down, and not come back to life....



So, after time on the phone and dad and me both pushing every F-something button there was no hope we could get the silly thing to boot up! And then the decision was made...it was time to take her down to CSI (some computer fix-it group) and hope they can get it up and running.



But...the drama doesn't end there. As we were pushing all those buttons assuming I really know what I'm doing dad says..."so what's the last backup you did...like last week or something..."



Yeah, about that. I'm usually really good with the computer. But I've totally spaced on running backups on the computer, just those automated ones that are SAVED ON THE COMPUTER. So, hopefully in addition to the guys at CSI getting the computer to actually boot up I'm praying they can save all my documents. Cause honestly, if they can't....lets just say I'm up a creek without a BIG PADDLE and that's not gonna be good!

So I'm here to say...I am very sorry that our Market Place won't be up this week, lets pray next week you'll see a link on the website. So until then just keep checking back!

Spring is finally coming....

Oh the sun is out and the weatherman said it's going to warm up, FINALLY! Mom and I just returned from a nice get-away in Oregon, visiting family and taking in the beautiful snow capped mountains. I think we both needed a re-charge, and Bella did too!

Now it's back to work....working on getting out online Market Place up and running!

My goal: by the end of April (early May if I get in a snag) to have our Market Place up and running with our spring picks. I've already got most of the images together, and we're in the process of navigating our way through the online shopping cart world! Keep checking back and hopefully soon you'll see a big banner that says....

MARKET PLACE NOW OPEN

But for now you'll see this...Market Place....Coming Soon!

Testing the waters....

After 4 years of being asked...."Do you sell online..." we can finally say yes...well we're working on it! We're in the process of putting together our 'Market Place' which will showcase a few of our favorite items and change with the seasons.

Until it is up and running I've decided to post some of the items we have for sale on my blog to allow people to get back to getting their fix of Keeping Good Company. You won't be able to directly purchase from the blog, but you can call...802-759-3040 or email...design@kgcvt.com to place your orders. Items will be shipped as avilable, some pieces may take 2 weeks since they travel across the US, but we will let us know at the time of purchase.

Here are a few pieces from the Spring Collection - All items can be purchased.

Preserved Boxwood Single Ball Topiary - 19"h

$98.95

plus s/h - $10.00

Caldrea Home Products - Lavender Pine

Dish Soap ~ Linen Spray ~ Hand Lotion ~ All Purpose Cleanser

$9.00 ~ $12.00 ~ $12.50 ~ $12.00

plus s/h $5.00 - $10.00

Timeworks Clock

Villa Tesio 31"

$285.00

*additional sizes avilable - 11" & 23"

Timeworks Clock

Harrison Gray - 23"

$144.00

*additional sizes avilable - 31"

Archipelago Candles

Havana ~ Ambiant ~ Luna ~ Jaipur ~ Madagascar ~ Stonehenge
4x6 ~ 2.5x5 ~ 3.5x3.5 ~ 2x3 (2x3 ordered in pairs only)
$37.50 ~ $23.50 ~ $24.50 ~ $10.50ea.
plus s/h - $5.00 - $15.00


Please contact us at 802-759-3040 or design@kgcvt.com to purchase any of these items or other items you are interested in. Special orders are always welcome!

Perfect for Easter Brunch!

I'm sticking true to my word....here's another recipe. And this one sounds like it belongs in Vermont! It looks long...but the pictures sure make it look worth it!

Maple Syrup Pancake Muffins
makes 12 glorious muffins

For the muffins:
7 Tablespoons unsalted butter
1/3 cup whole milk
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
1 Tablespoon maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt

For the Maple Glaze:
3/4 cup pure maple syrup
1 Tablespoon lemon juice

Put a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line muffin pan with paper or foil liners

Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Keep an eye on the butter. Melt and cook down the butter until little brown bits appear in the pan. The crackling will subside and butter will begin to brown fairly quickly after that. Keep a close eye. Remove from heat.

Whisk milk, egg, yolk, maple syrup, and vanilla until combined. Add the brown butter and stir to combine.

Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl Add milk and butter mixture all at one and stir gently to combine.

Divide the batter among muffin cups and spread evenly.

Bake until golden and crisp and a wooden pick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean, about 18-20 minutes.

While the muffins are baking make the maple glaze.

In a small saucepan simmer maple syrup and lemon juice, stirring occasionally, until reduced to a thick (thicker than maple syrup) syrup. This will take about 15 minutes over a low flame.

Remove from heat and wait for the muffins to finish baking. When muffins are out of the oven and cool enough to handle, poke a few holes in the muffin top with a toothpick and dip each muffin top in the maple glaze. After dipping all twelve muffins, start with the first muffin you dipped and dip each muffin again.

Recipe Time!

I'm thinking of starting something new....If I can remember. I'd like to post a new recipe each week, and if I'm really good, I may even try and do each one myself!

So here's the first one....from Joy The Baker Cinnamon Sugar Biscotti


makes about 24 cookies

2 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup granulated sugar
6 Tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 egg
1 egg yolk
1 teaspoon vanilla

For Topping:
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 beaten egg (for brushing biscotti before baking)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F and arrange two baking racks in the upper portion of the oven. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

Also whisk together the cinnamon and sugar for the topping and set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, fit with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Scrape down the down and beat in the egg followed by the egg yolk. Beat in the vanilla extract.

Add the dry ingredients to the creamed butter all at once. With the mixer or just with a spatula, bring all of the ingredients together until a somewhat stiff dough is formed.

Divide the dough in two on the two making sheets. Shape each half of dough into a 9-inch long and 1 1/2-inch wide log. Brush with the beaten egg and sprinkle very generously with cinnamon sugar. Bake the two sheets on two different racks in the oven for 20 minutes. Rotate the cookie sheets for even baking and bake for 20-25 more minutes until golden and firm to the touch.



Remove from the oven but keep the oven on. Let biscotti cool until able to handle. Using a serrated knife, cut logs into 1/2-inch wide diagonal slices. Place biscotti cut side down on baking sheet and sprinkle with more cinnamon sugar. Bake again until pale golden, about 10-15
minutes.



Store in an airtight container for up to one week.

Good Luck - I'd love to hear how your's comes out!

Caldrea

My goal this week....Getting our products up online for purchase! Hopefully within the next week you'll see a link for our online products. And of course, if there's anything special you're looking for all you have to do is let us know!

And don't forget we've got



I've got an order going in, so if there's anything you'd like, please let us know!

As always, you can contact us at: design@kgcvt.com or 802-759-3040