The On-line Version of our E-mail Newsletter

VOLUME 2002-6     December 2002

Note: Many of you have contacted us regarding when our seeds and seed collections are going back on sale at Yankee Gardener. We have just now received the pricing and availability information from our supplier, and are in the process of updating everything. The seeds and collections will be available for on-line purchase again by the end of this week. Thank you for your patience.

Hello everyone!

For this month's specials please see the bottom of this newsletter.
The coupon code for this month is
Note: These specials are expired.
-- 20% off of a purchase of $25 or more on sale items.

The sale is good through December 31st.

There are over 100 products on sale this month!

Happy December everyone! This is the one month of the year that delights, excites, challenges, and frustrates us more than any other. Have no illusions...ignoring it won't make it go away. But we can make it a more joyful experience by lowering our expectations and getting ahead of the rush. While the ideal way to do that would be by collecting presents all through the year (realistically, how many of us actually do that?) or by getting it all done in one frantic shopping event, the fact is that we all tend to spread ourselves very thin during the first three weeks of December.

With today's hectic lifestyle, preparing for the holidays can create undo pressure, short fuses and for many, financial strain. Why is it, although we know that the holidays arrive every year at the same time, we always wait until the last gun is fired before we gather up our resources and get the job done? We don't know. However, we are here to help with some exciting, new gift ideas for this Christmas season:

The Twelve Teas Of Christmas

Newly arrived at Yankee Harvest are three beautifully packaged gourmet beverages from Coffee Masters, Ashby's of London, and Amore Cocoa. We are delighted to be offering for the first time this year, in exquisite and unique holiday gift packaging, THE TWELVE DAYS OF COFFEE, THE TWELVE DAYS OF TEA and THE TWELVE DAYS OF COCOA. These items are top gourmet quality flavored coffees, teas, and smooth cocoa drinks that are a delight to the tongue while being presented in a lovely Christmas book. They are an ideal gift for the discerning connoisseur of fine beverages, a perfect gift for the workplace. For teachers, club and scout leaders, clergy, grab bag or secret Santa, these wonderful beverages offer a thoughtful and eye catching presentation with their distinctive and beautiful Christmas flair. Coffee, tea and cocoa ... the gift that will be long remembered each time a mug is filled.

All 3 can be found on our Holiday Christmas Gifts and Traditions page:
http://www.yankeeharvest.com/christmas_gifts.html

Christmas Games

Without a doubt, this is the time of year that parties abound. We have two ideas for infusing the spirit of Christmas into your holiday celebration while at the same time they make wonderfully creative gifts. HOLIDAY CHARADES are a great way to liven up that perfect party, they make a super host or hostess gift, secret Santa or grab bag, and your family and friends will, no doubt, want one for themselves. Playing this old, familiar game with a holiday twist can turn your Christmas Eve and Christmas Day function into a memorable gathering.

Or, try the 'TIS THE SEASON TRIVIA GAME for a new and exciting way to keep family and friends around the dinner table. This wonderful trivia game is compiled of 1,800 questions and answers concerning many aspects of holiday traditions, history, fiction, folklore, music, film and theatre. We believe that this game has the potential to become a holiday tradition in it's own right.

As an added bonus, we are offering the two games, HOLIDAY CHARADES and 'TIS THE SEASON TRIVIA GAME together at a 20% discount. Just another way to light up your holiday...!

Holiday Charades and 'Tis The Season Christmas Trivia Game:
http://www.yankeeharvest.com/christmas_charades.html

Christmas Carols Gingerbread House

If you are planning an old fashion carol sing, we can provide the lyrics to dozens of Christmas Carols and songs in their entirety. Verse by verse, more than fifty (50) carols are contained in this handy and nicely bound booklet. This is a must for any lover of holiday music and a thoughtful way to pass along the tradition of music and the story they tell, to others. CHRISTMAS CAROLS: COMPLETE VERSES also included, where possible, the composer's name and DOB/DOD. So, no longer do you have to worry about remembering every word. Pass them around at your next singing event this season and experience the joy of music that only Christmas can supply.

Many new (and not so new) items in Yankee Harvest and Yankee Grocery have been grouped together to create seven wonderful gift baskets and collections for your gift giving pleasure. We at Yankee Harvest have had a lot of fun planning what would go into these baskets and collections. We hope that you are as excited about them as we are.

Least we forget the busy times and traditions. We offer to the child in all of us, one of the oldest and most cherished Christmas traditions; Building your very own gingerbread house, loaded with candies and frostings. Build memories this year with a WILTON GINGERBREAD HOUSE. A fun and creative time for the whole family to enjoy. Included are three (3) designs to choose from.

Christmas Carols and Gingerbread House can also be found on our Holiday Christmas Gifts and Traditions page:
http://www.yankeeharvest.com/christmas_gifts.html

Our two fragrance collections include the delicious Sundrops Soaps that have been exclusive to the Country Store for about three years now. We thought this year would be a good time to showcase these wonderful soaps for the holidays. We love them...so do our customers...! Although it was a hard decision, we think we have chosen specific fragrances that will wet your appetite and peak your interest. The scents are varied and each one is better than the next. Hand made, hand cut, using only the best natural and essentials oils and other yummy ingredients, Sundrops Soaps are a delight to the senses and are guaranteed to extract ooohs and aaahs from the happy recipient.

THE SUMMER BREEZE GIFT BASKET: Designed to conjure up memories of luscious floral and fruity scents, indicative of the sultry summer months. Sit back in the bath while the fragrance of wildrose, elderberry and apricot chase away the winter blues. There are three soaps included here... Wildrose and Milk, Apricot, Freesia and Elderberry, and the third is our surprise...! The adorable Nantucket style basket is perfect for displaying fingertip towels, bath sundries or...more Sundrops Soaps!

WINTER'S EVE SUMPTUOUS SOAP COLLECTION: Comes in an easy to carry gabled style craft box. This collection is entirely different in concept. Here, the scent of spice and balsam and autumn fruit reigns supreme. We included the entire line of Cranberry Soaps...Cranberry- Pine, Cranberry Citrus Scrub (facial), Cranberry Vanilla, Cranberry, Red Apple and Oat. These soaps have the cleansing and softening effects of freshly ground, dried cranberries combined with other wonderful ingredients. Also included is Yankee Harvests signature scent...Pumpkin Cinnamon Spice and Cinnamon- Applejack Swirl...a decadent reminder of warm hearths and baked apples.

Our first gift basket takes the apple theme just a little bit further. THE OLD ORCHARD GIFT BASKET consists of the following: Apple Lovers Cookbook, Mr. Baker's Sourdough Bread Mix, Apple Pie Spice, Mulling Spice, Cinnamon Sticks, Sheila's Select Cheddar Broccoli Soup, spicy Wassail Mix, Sweet Country Spice Dip and Cheddar Broccoli Dip from Autumn Harvest, Cinnamon Applejack Swirl Soap and Cranberry, Red Apple and Oat Soap from Sundrops Soaps. This wonderful gift basket is the essence of New England: hot soup, homemade bread, yummy spices, tasty dips and dazzling soaps. Plus, we've included a great cookbook to help you create new and exciting apple dishes that are destined to become family favorites. The woven rattan style basket is perfect for serving warm bread or assorted crackers.

Our second gift basket comes from our love of the ocean. THE AMERICAN FISH FRY GIFT BASKET consists of Lemon-Pepper Bread/Batter mix, Parmesan-Herb Bread. /Batter Mix, Country Cornbread Mix, Sheila's Select Creamy Potato Soup, Autumn Harvest Crab Dip, Shrimp Dip, Smoked Salmon Dip, Cajun Crab Dip, South Shore Seasoning and Avocado, Calendula, and Lemongrass Soap. Here's a quick tip: Replace 1/2 the water called for in the soup recipe with clam juice or broth. Add as much fresh chopped or canned clams as you would like (preferably about one cup). Mmmmm...hot chowder, steaming cornbread, the tastiest FISH THAT EVER FELL ONTO YOUR FORK. And use the large Nantucket style basket to serve those hot wedges of cornbread or chips for those great dips!

Our third basket reaches just a little further west of New England. However, we have acquired, and fallen in love with, the heated flavors of Southwest and Tex-Mex cooking. In honor of the chili pepper and those who love them, comes the HAPPY HACIENDA GIFT BASKET. Included here are: Spicy Jalapeno Yeast Bread (hot), Jalapeno Cornbread (mild), Sheila's Select Chili Con Queso Soup Mix, Sunfire Garlic Lovers Marinade and Seasoning Sauce, Autumn Harvest Smoked Jalapeno Dip, Old Mexico Dip, Green Chile and Onion Dip and Smoked Jalapeno Salsa Mix, Southwest Seasoning, and Citrus Moon Soap. There are only two things to be said for this marvelous collection of zesty treats...Ole' and please pass the water! Enjoy! (Oh, yes. The craft style hexagon basket is nice and deep to hold a lot of your favorite nachos)

IT'S GAME TIME...!! Even diehard sports fans have to eat. So, for them, we've created two different taste sensations to enjoy while glued to the T.V.

NATIONAL FOOTBALL: Two individual bottles of our famous Bloody Bold Bloody Mary Mix...the thick, luscious, kicked up taste is bound to keep him focused (Bloody Bold is a non-alcoholic beverage that can be enjoyed with or without your favorite high octane additive) Spinach- Parmesan Bread, and two delicious dips...Garden Spinach and zippy Roasted Garlic.

AMERICAN FOOTBALL: Two individual bottles of Bloody Bold Bloody Mary Mix, Spicy Jalapeno Bread, Wild West Salsa Mix and Old Mexico Dip.

With either of these nifty collections you will receive a great wooden tray that is perfect for serving your favorite snacks, or can be used in an interesting craft project.

CHRISTMAS GIFT BASKETS:
http://www.yankeeharvest.com/gift_baskets.html

Keep in mind that you can always create your own basket collections. By visiting our entire family of websites you can chose any variety of wonderful gifts for those on your list this year. Here are some helpful ideas:

X-Acto Knife Sets Cherry-Nose

YANKEE HARVEST:

X-ACTO KNIVES, BLADES and GIFT SETS for the crafter or woodworker
     http://www.yankeeharvest.com/xacto/index.html

Maine Buoy Bells from North Country Wind Bells
     http://www.yankeeharvest.com/northcountrybells/index.html

Cherry-Nose Stuffed Animals, the World's most Irresistible, Largest and Softest Tissue Holders...anywhere...!
     http://www.yankeeharvest.com/cherrynose/index.html

Sundrops Natural Handmade Soaps:
     http://www.yankeeharvest.com/sundropsoaps/index.html

Paine Products "All Natural" Incense, Log Cabin, Loon and Pine Cone Incense Burners:      http://www.yankeeharvest.com/paine_products_index.html

Holiday Pasta Sheila's Select Gourmet Soups & More!

Many tasty treats from Sheila's Select and Autumn Harvest:
     http://www.yankeegrocery.com/sheilas_select.html
     http://www.yankeegrocery.com/autumn_harvest.html

Mr. Baker Authentic San Francisco Sourdough Collections:
     http://www.yankeegrocery.com/sourdough_bread.html

Spicemill Herbs, Spices and Gift Collections:
     http://www.yankeegrocery.com/spice_collections.html

Pasta Partners Gift Sets:
     http://www.yankeegrocery.com/pasta_partners/gifts.html

Pasta Partners Holiday Christmas Tree Pasta:
     http://www.yankeegrocery.com/pasta_partners/holiday.html

PEZ Christmas Dispensers:
     http://www.yankeegrocery.com/pez-christmas.html

Florian Ratchet Cut Pruner

The Florian Ratchet-Cut Pruning Shear and Pruner's Gift Set:
     http://www.yankeegardener.com/florian.html

Yankee Gardener's Garden Decoration Collection:
     http://www.yankeegardener.com/garden-decoration.html

Colonial Birdhouses Bird House and Bird Feeder Kits for the hobbyist and bird lover:
     http://www.yankeegardener.com/colbirdhouse/index.html

Holiday Rotator

Halloween, you say? Sure, why not! If Halloween is where his or her heart is, give the gift of Halloween this year. Check out YankeeHalloween.com for the Carvers Delight Collection, beautiful seasonal decorating books, gelatin molds and more....

The Holiday Rotator Turntable: (No Longer Available)

Once again...and we cannot stress it enough...please order early. Orders placed after Dec. 15th, because of the sheer volume of product passing through our postal system, CANNOT be guaranteed to reach its destination in time for Christmas, regardless of method used. All orders placed between Dec. 15th and Dec. 20th MUST GO PRIORITY MAIL!

All orders going to APO's and FPO's should be in the hands of the post office by Dec. 1st. Remember, all shipments going to APO's are on space available shipping from the APO or FPO zip code. We at Yankee Harvest do the best we can to accommodate but the fact remains, once your parcel passes into the hands of a designated carrier, we have done our job. By ordering early, it helps everyone to breathe a little easier. Please do your part.

If my memory serves me, this recipe appeared about four years ago somewhere within the folds of our local newspaper. It sounded yummy, although I could see it was going to be a time consuming project. The 'yummy' part won out and I tried it. This wonderful, moist, delicious cake has been a much anticipated, annual tradition ever since. This Christmas, I would like to share it with you. Be prepared to spend some time. But, as you will find out, it will be time well spent!

• 2 cups fresh cranberries
• 4 oz. Almond paste
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1 Tsp. Almond extract
• 3 cups flour, sifted
• 1 cup plus 2 Tbsp. Butter
• 1/2 Tsp. salt
• 6 fresh eggs (Check Date)
• 1 1/4 Tsp. Baking powder
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/2 Tsp. baking soda
• 2 1/2 cups sugar
• 1/4 cup Amaretto liqueur

Liberally butter and flour a 10" bundt pan. Sift together flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda into large bowl. Set aside.

In another large mixing bowl, cream together almond paste and sugar. You may have to use your fingers to get it going. Add Almond extract and work until mixture looks like wet sand. Using electric mixer, add butter and beat on medium speed until fluffy, about three minutes.

Add eggs, one at a time, scraping down bowl with a spatula as you go. Reduce to low speed. Beat in 1/3 rd of the dry mixture and 1/3 of the sour cream, repeating process until both are used up.

Finally, beat batter for an additional 20 seconds until very smooth. Fold in dried and whole cranberries. Pour into the prepared pan and level the top with a spatula. Tap the pan on counter top to distribute. Bake approx. 60 minutes. As temperature varies in different ovens, you should begin to observe cake at about 55 minutes. Test by tapping the top. If cake feels firm and sounds hollow, turn off the oven and leave in for another five to ten minutes.

Remove and allow to stand for no more then ten minutes. Invert onto flat plate and let cool thoroughly. Glaze with the following: 3 Tbsp. Amaretto liqueur and 1 1/2 cups Confectioners sugar. Mix until smooth and drizzle over cake. Decorate with slivered almonds and cranberries, as you would like.

This is a wonderfully dense and rich cake. I usually make a grand presentation at Thanksgiving and then freeze what is left for Christmas to accompany all those cookies. It is definitely worth the time and effort, and, it freezes well. Try it and let us know what you think!

YANKEE GAZETTE SUBSCRIBERS ONLY DECEMBER COUPON SALE:

ALL SPECIALS BELOW ARE GOOD FROM NOW THROUGH 11:59 PM, December 31, 2002 -- On-line Orders ONLY

20% off of a purchase of $25 or more on sale items -- over 100 items on sale!

Note: These specials are expired.

and click the "continue" button. Your 20% discount will be deducted on the next screen:

You may also order products that are not part of our sale. Any products ordered (even non-Sale products) will count towards the minimum $25 order to qualify for the discount, but only sale products will have the 20% discount deducted. For instance, if you order $15 worth of products that aren't on sale, and $15 worth of the sale products listed below, your $30 order would qualify you for the discount, but the 20% would only be deducted from the $15 worth of products that are part of the sale.

Any questions, please e-mail webmaster@yankeeharvest.com

HINT: You might wish to print out this list of products below for reference while you shop. Remember, only the products listed below qualify for the 20% discount.

North Country Maine Hooty Owl Garden Guard
North Country Coastal Crow Garden Guard
North Country Maine Scare Cat Sitting Garden Guard
North Country Maine Scare Cat Prowling Garden Guard
North Country Mission Rose Garden Bell
North Country Island Pasture Violet Garden Bell
North Country Boothbay Sea Rose Garden Bell
North Country Camden Island Iris Garden Bell
North Country Cape Cod Cranberry Garden Bell
North Country Long Island Lupine Garden Bell
North Country Bar Harbor Bayberry Garden Bell
North Country Chesapeake Laurel Garden Bell
North Country Kennebunkport Lilac Garden Bell
North Country Outer Banks Magnolia Garden Bell
North Country Pemaquid Pine Garden Bell
North Country Nantucket Mayflower Garden Bell
11-inch Handcrafted Scroll Hanger Bracket
20-inch Handcrafted Scroll Hanger Bracket

Holiday Christmas Carols Set of 5
The Twelve Cocoas Of Christmas
The Twelve Coffees Of Christmas
The Twelve Teas Of Christmas

Paine's Miniature 4-Inch Log Cabin Incense Burner
Paine's Super 6-Inch Log Cabin Incense Burner
Paine's Balsam Fir Incense 32 Count
Paine's Red Cedar Incense 32 Count
Paine's Pinon Pine Incense 32 Count
Paine's Fir Balsam Incense 72 Log Refill Pak
Paine's Loon Incense Holder w/ Incense Sticks
Paine's Pine Cone Incense Holder w/ Incense Sticks
Paine's Balsam Fir Incense Sticks 24 Pack Refill

X-ACTO 5262 Double Knife Set
Yankee Harvest Duet Accessory Gift Kit
X-ACTO 5177 Woodcarving Tool Set
X-ACTO 5082 Basic Knife Set
X-ACTO 5175 Deluxe Woodcarving Set
X-ACTO 5083 Standard Knife Set
X-ACTO 5086 Deluxe Woodcarving Set
X-ACTO 5087 Deluxe Hobby Tool Set
X-ACTO 5179 Carving Tool Set

Autumn Harvest Old Mexico Dip
Autumn Harvest Smoked Jalapeno Dip
Autumn Harvest Green Chile & Onion Dip
Autumn Harvest Smoked Jalapeno Salsa
Autumn Harvest Wild West Salsa
Autumn Harvest Wildfire Dip
Autumn Harvest Country Cucumber Dip
Autumn Harvest Garden Spinach Dip
Autumn Harvest Mesquite Smoked Onion Dip
Autumn Harvest Roasted Garlic Dip
Autumn Harvest Cheddar & Broccoli Dip
Autumn Harvest Bacon & Horseradish Dip
Autumn Harvest Dill & Toasted Onion Dip
Autumn Harvest Ranch Dip
Autumn Harvest Broccoli Dip
Autumn Harvest Toasted Onion Dip
Autumn Harvest Sweet Country Spice Dip
Autumn Harvest Cajun Crab Dip
Autumn Harvest Crab Dip
Autumn Harvest Shrimp Dip
Autumn Harvest Smoked Salmon Dip
Autumn Harvest Fresh Garden Herb Bread Mix
Autumn Harvest Favorite Beer Bread Mix
Autumn Harvest Southwest Spice Bread Mix
Autumn Harvest Spicy Jalapeno Bread Mix
Autumn Harvest Country Cornbread Mix
Autumn Harvest Jalapeno Cornbread Mix
Autumn Harvest Cajun Bake/Fry Breading & Batter Mix
Autumn Harvest Lemon Pepper Bake/Fry Breading & Batter Mix
Autumn Harvest Parmesan and Herb Bake/Fry Breading & Batter Mix
Autumn Harvest Herb Bread w/ Dill & Toasted Onion Dip Bread Bowl
Autumn Harvest Spicy Jalapeno Bread and Old Mexico Dip Bread Bowl
Autumn Harvest Beer Bread and Roasted Garlic Dip Bread Bowl
Autumn Harvest HOT FEVER Dip & Salsa Mix Collection
Autumn Harvest Veggie Dreamers Dip Mix Collection
Autumn Harvest Garden Party Dip and Salsa Mix Collection
Autumn Harvest Gourmet Collection of Bread Mixes
Autumn Harvest Breading & Batter Mix Collection

Sheila's White Cheddar Potato Soup (NEW!)
Sheila's Cheddar Broccoli Instant Single Soup (NEW!)
Sheila's Chicken Noodle Instant Single Soup (NEW!)
Sheila's Creamy Potato Instant Single Soup (NEW!)
Sheila's Mushroom Instant Single Soup (NEW!)
Sheila's Tomato Instant Single Soup (NEW!)
Sheila's White Cheddar Asparagus Instant Single Soup (NEW!)
Sheila's Instant Single Soup Sampler (NEW!)

Sheila's Cheddar Broccoli Soup
Sheila's Chuck Wagon Chile
Sheila's Creamy Potato Soup
Sheila's Minestrone Soup
Sheila's Pasta Fagioli Soup
Sheila's White Cheddar Asparagus Soup
Sheila's Harvest Wild Rice Soup
Sheila's Enchilada con Queso Soup
Sheila's Gourmet Cottage Gift Box
Sheila's Amaretto Poppy Seed Cake
Sheila's Spinach Parmesan Cheese Bread
Sheila's Chocolate Decadence Brownies
Sheila's Cin-Sational Cinnamon Bread
Sheila's Select Gourmet Collection of Soup Mixes
Sheila's Select Delicious Gourmet Baking Collection
Sheila's Pina Colada Smoothie
Sheila's Strawberry Daiquiri Smoothie
Sheila's Raspberry Lemonade Smoothie
Sheila's Cream L' Orange Smoothie
Sheila's Select Gourmet Collection of Smoothie Drink Mixes

Remember, this is YOUR NEWSLETTER and we'd love to hear from you on what you'd like to see in future editions. Please e-mail your suggestions to: info@yankeeharvest.com

Well folks, that's it for now. Have a happy, blessed, and safe Thanksgiving. Enjoy your friends and family. Don't eat too much! Don't go shopping on Friday unless you are a glutton for punishment ... sleep late instead! Here's to good health and good fortune ... and PEACE.

Regards,
Your Friends at Yankee Harvest