Designs of the Times

What are you doing this weekend? It is suppose to be a nice weather weekend so join the grassroots cash mob movement and visit a cash mob or two!

Cash mobbing starts on Saturday April 28, 2012 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM  25960 Central Avenue Kingston, WA 98346 at Nancy’s Green Garden!  Get your bedding plants, fresh flowers and artisan gifts! Bring a friend and support a locally owned business.

RSVP on the Faceboob page here:…then after that a short car ride away is the Brownsville Deli  Cash Mob on the waterfront! Go celebrate the  fun at Brownsville Deli (a locally owned and operated Kitsap County Business) This special event will be from 11am-7pm offering scrumptious food (my favorite biscuits and gravy will be served all day long) plus cash mobber deli specials AND  wine tasting!

Brownsville Deli Saturday April 28, 2012 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM 9790B Ogle Road NE Bremerton, WA 98311. Celebration food eating will be at the same location! Help a local business, meet new friends and have fun! RSVP on the Brownsville Cash Mob Facebook page here!

www.kitsapcountycashmobs.com is administrated by residents, community members and business owners who work very hard everyday to be of service to neighboring businesses and friends. Read More About local Kitsap Cash Mobbing featured in the Kitsap Sun.

List of active Kitsap County Town Administrators

Brownsville/Keyport  Administrated By Evie Osborn & Kim Hoyt Cheyrl Estep

Gig Harbor Marleen Madding &

Kingston Administrated By Connie Obee & Donna Schambron

Poulsbo Administrated By  Mary West & Megan G Henry

Port Gamble Administrated By Sean Wescott

Suquamish/Indianola Sherry Morisch & Lisa Jachimowicz

Silverdale Administrated By Donna Bigelow Mescha Manietta, Jessica Guess Catie Johnson-Malcom

Port Orchard Debbie Doll, Richard Edwards, Harold Bright

Enjoy your weekend!

Lisa Jachimowicz

Designs of the Times -What Inspires You?

Design is everywhere. It can be in the food we eat, the art we buy or the Jewelry we wear. The Designs of the Times Blog is about the people, places and things that help us a enjoy the abundance of creativity all around us. Join us as we showcase the rich designs of our surroundings that make up this great area we call home- Kitsap County! We hope to bring inspiration, joy, and creativity to all who read our Blog.

Share on Facebook

Local customers at Jak's Cafe Poulsbo, WA

Our day started early for a breakfast visit at Jak’s Cafe and Espresso where Julie Krucek makes everything in her beautiful cafe from scratch.  The family recipes are all gluten free.

She served up many rounds of egg Benedict and delicious artisan creme puffs and really rolled out the hospitality red carpet by singing Happy Birthday to a local Poulsbo resident. Patrons trickled in all day from 10AM-5Pm and enjoyed their visit to the very well known cafe.

Cash Mobbers from Kitsap County couldn’t have asked for better weather for National Cash Mob Day. “My sales were up 40% that day- Thanks so much! When can we do it again?” stated Julie Krucek founder of Jak’s cafe.

Birthday Bavarian Creme Pastries from Jak's Cafe

The next awesome location was CJ’s Evergreen General Store and Catering where Cynthia Jeffries-Cyr also rolled out the penny candy,  Dinner to Go meals from her famous catering department, hot aromatic espresso, ice cream and pies.

Cynthia Jeffries-Cyr Owner of CJ's Evergreen Store & Catering

Cash Mobbers outside of CJ's

Bremerton Cash Mobs were instrumental in inviting local residents, creating the certificates of appreciation and showcasing what locally made products were available for purchase.  “We bought some of the Sequim Valley Marion Berry Jelly. I’m in heaven!” stated  Robin Henderson founder of Bremerton Cash Mobs.

Cash Mobbers and local business owners celebrated the sunny day and the events success at another locally owned establishment by having a nice meal at Rachel’s in Bremerton. Everyone relaxed, socialized and networked with other local business owners and residents that they might not have normally met.  It was a very humbling, gratifying  and emotional experience for many who attended. Cash Mobbing might be addicting!

Celebration Dinner At Rachels in Bremerton

“I would like to thank all of you that came by the store for the 1st Bremerton Cash Mob yesterday. I really appreciate all the people that came out. We feel that it was a success. We were so glad to see so many new people and returning customers. We hope to see all of you again. If there is anything that you would like to see us carry, just let us know and we will see what we can do about that. Again, thank you so much. It really was an honor to be one of the first Cash Mob sites. “ Cynthia Jeffries-Cyr

For More Information about how to get involved, visit Kitsap County Cash Mobs Enjoy!

Lisa Jachimowicz Poulsbo, Washington

Designs of the Times -What Inspires You?

Design is everywhere. It can be in the food we eat, the art we buy or the Jewelry we wear. The Designs of the Times Blog is about the people, places and things that help us a enjoy the abundance of creativity all around us. Join us as we showcase the rich designs of our surroundings that make up this great area we call home- Kitsap County! We hope to bring inspiration, joy, and creativity to all who read our Blog.

Share on Facebook

Share on Facebook

I am happy to report I have recently re-connected with my Uncle Reggie Gebo. We were talking on facebook and he told me he usually catches about 60 to 70 salmon a year in the Great Lakes of Michigan!?

It is not often I get to showcase a family member and it made me realize that we often forget and take for granted our salmon abundance.

My Uncle Reggie has traveled to many cool places and is an outstanding cook. He has recently started a blog for all of his travels and of his very unique recipes. His new blog is a work in progress so keep checking back often. He adds new content daily!

One dish that  really caught my sockeye (excuse the pun) was this Salmon and Zucchini Olive Oil Dish and the Linguine with Salmon and Zucchini dinner.

And then of course dessert! This is his Danish Rice Pudding with Brandy Glazed Cherry Sauce.

If you need a fresh cooking and travel perspective for Spring- I encourage you to check out all of Reggie Gebo’s recipes, tips and travel pictures on his new blog. Enjoy!

Lisa Jachimowicz
Suquamish/Poulsbo, Washington
Designs of the Times -What Inspires You?

Design is everywhere. It can be in the food we eat, the art we buy or the Jewelry we wear. The Designs of the Times Blog is about the people, places and things that help us a enjoy the abundance of creativity all around us. Join us as we showcase the rich designs of our surroundings that make up this great area we call home- Kitsap County! We hope to bring inspiration, joy and creativity to all who read our Blog.

Share on Facebook

You know you think about reaching out, you read something like this and get motivated but then you get busy and put it on the back burner for tomorrow.  Then tomorrow turns into months or a year…maybe this is the one you act upon?

Isn’t it time to help?

I just got word from my friend Chris Garcia with Fidelity National Title Company that Foster Children need help. Kitsap Realtors and Lenders are doing what they can and  reaching out to support Foster Children (and they had a very successful clothing drive this Christmas) but everyday is not Christmas and their are needs all year long.

Having five children of my own- I know how challenging raising children is on a good day, on a tough day a child has to go to school without all needs being met  ( especially teenagers) who often get left out because people love to buy little kids clothes but forget that teenagers need clothes and personal items to succeed. Self esteem is a really important aspect at that particular age and can make all the difference in the daily lives of  the 12-18 age group.

For more information about next years Foster Care Clothing Drive, or to inquire about becoming a foster parent, please call 360-692-4556 or email Chris at christopher.garcia@fnf.com.

Also,  if you are buying a house this year – you might want to give Chris a call. He can make sure your property is title searched thoroughly and effectively by insuring you that someone’s Uncle Joe from 1967 does not have any legal claims on your new home… AND he offers outstanding service.  Enjoy!

Read more about becoming a Foster parent here or learn how you can donate!

Share on Facebook

If you’re like me you might have had a beautiful holiday but are now feeling a little cranky about all of the work involved to help you meet all of your New Year resolutions.  I think because of the many changes in our society right now- it might be important to go back to the basics of living:

• Don’t answer your emails before coffee. This is very important. Why? Because before coffee you might be tempted to fire off a bad email response to the stupid person on the other end. That is not beneficial to your well being, job, or relationships. Just trust me on this one.

• Looking for a job? Make looking for a job your new job and you will find a job. Pretty simple, huh? This is mainly directed to the 16-25 crowds of “well I interviewed but they never called me back” syndrome. You send a ‘Thank You’ note and YOU call back. Pretty ‘epic’, huh? Make sure you use the word ‘epic’ in every sentence, too! It is epic impressive.

• If you’re a baby-boomer start putting money in your mattress for retirement. Banks can’t be trusted. Apparently, baby boomers have been great spenders. Many have depended on their houses as retirement funds but now with properties not worth as much there is no equity to be had for awhile. To get Social Security full payout you will have to work till age 70. Don’t believe me? Read the news. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101227/ap_on_bi_ge/us_retirement_crisis and (for the record) I love mature workers in places like McDonalds. The service is so much better and I am never missing any fries. Seriously.

Which reminds me…

• Believe everything you read on the internet, especially if you are having a debate about something. You most likely can win, because you probably can find anything to support a theory or debate in your favor, (because as you know) the internet is always correct. Don’t worry about quoting reputable sources as they probably won’t have the facts you need to win your point! Just quote the internet by saying “Well, I read it on the internet” case closed.  You won and of course winning is the most important thing. Insert sarcasm <here>.

• Don’t say “I am going on a diet”.  It’s just a set up for failure. According to the Journal of Preventive Medicine “you need 150 minutes of moderate exercise to stay healthy”.  So walk your dog, if you do not have a dog, walk your kid, if you do not have either, borrow one or the other (go for the dog). It’s a win-win situation.

• Most millionaires are frugal. Get as much free stuff as you can. Yeah, it’s cool to ‘recycle’ and ‘go green’ blah, blah, and blah but the truth is sometimes hard to publicly admit; free stuff is good. If you get on free cycle and craigslist before you purchase any items and use coupons for food it can be like a great video game. Think of the person who takes your money as the enemy. Zap them with your coupons. It leaves more money for more important things – like building a bomb shelter.

• Date night is good. Don’t let finances get in the way. If there isn’t any room in the budget for date night (because your savings are under your mattress for retirement, remember?) you can always hit up the local free community meals. Check your local churches. It gives you a chance to get away, be appreciative of what you have, and meet new people in your neighborhood. It can be a breath of fresh air and produce unique opportunities to give back.

• Grow something (nothing illegal, of course). Particularly, replace one food item that you normally buy to something you can grow.  If you have very little ground space you can grow vegetables in hanging planters. Lettuce is a good choice among many. Seeds are relatively inexpensive at the Dollar Store.  If you absolutely cannot grow something then buy something from your local farmers market. At least you’ll be supporting the local economy. Help your family become more self sufficient and help the environment.

I hope this unique list has helped de-crankify you to enjoy your family, enjoy nature, and make it an epic year. Humor and sarcasm always help!

Share on Facebook

My Christmas Tree 2010

Some people get so depressed about not being able to give gifts during the holiday season that they might not attend a holiday family function or if they do attend they are feeling so down that they do not act like themselves.

It is very unfortunate and some people really need to be verbally ‘let off the hook’ so they can get through the season and the big day. If you know people in this situation give them the biggest gift of all by letting them “off the hook” for holiday present exchange.

From my experience- it really is one the greatest gifts  you can give to friends and loved ones. Just recently my mother did it for me!

We had planned a trip back home to the East Coast months ago -and then an unexpected move and other family obligations happened so  it just did not make a holiday trip feasible. I did not want to tell my mother, in fact I dreaded telling her…but she instinctively  knew and she called and told me she understood. It was the biggest relief of guilt ever this year and I appreciated her knowing we wanted to come but yet it was too much of a hardship to actually do it this year.

Eleven great things you can say in these difficult types of Holiday situations:

Lisa Homemade Apple Pie

1. We are focusing the day on the great food, our warm house, and the pleasure of your company.
2. We are focusing our own gift giving for the little children so no gift is needed for adults and the children have plenty of gifts to open.
3. You have done so many things for us this past year that we just want to celebrate in appreciation of you and everything we have done together/been through together over the last 12 months.
4. If the person insists on giving, you can make a great suggestion of homemade gifts.
5. I really love that ____ (food item) you make, if you would like to make that, it would save me so much time and be the perfect gift – plus it would relieve me of so much stress on Christmas Day!
6. I really love homemade decorations and my tree/wall/man room (or insert other appropriate relevant suggestion) really needs more decorations.
7. I really love old family/friend pictures if you have some to share, I would love one or two as a gift for my scrapbook!
8. I really loved when you babysat or walked my dog (or other service the person has provided in the past) so a written gift certificate  (on notebook paper) would be just the perfect  gift and really give me something to look forward too!
9. If you have any books or magazines about _______ I would love to have them as a gift.
10. Please donate your time to a local charity in my name such as the food bank or humane society. It would make me very happy!
11. If you have any holiday DVD movies, we would love to have some of them so we could have a family movie holiday! I will even make the special holiday popcorn!

Many times people you know will express worries about bills and items they need for their own families for the holidays.  There are many ways you can offer assistance and resources:

Let them know you are giving them a gift certificate for a local grocery store or department store. This lets them know that they may have a cushion and allow them to buy for their immediate family.

You can also suggest craft items that you have made in the past for special occasions and let them know where to get supplies that are reasonably priced. You may also let them borrow a sewing machine or glue gun, beads, wood scraps and donate  ideas that you find on the Internet (lots of DIY sites)  or at the local library. This should help spark ideas and creativity!

If things are looking really difficult for family or friends try to get them on a church angel list or point them to a website called ‘2 Hands’. It is a website about one hand helping another and is located at http://www.2hands.org/. You may even offer use of your computer to help them get registered.

Also, Kitsap County has  local resources that may be available for utility assistance and food. You can print out this list below and give it to them and offer a ride or even just understanding of difficult times and let them know that they are not alone. http://www.bremertonschools.org/studentsfamily/services/Kitsap_Community_Homeless_Low_Income_Resource_Guide%20%282%29.pdf

The best thing you can say is “I have faith in you” and “I love/care for you” and “We are looking forward to celebrating the holiday with you.” “Be here at ___ time” or “I will have _______ name of person pick you up -so be ready for the day!”

Share your abundance and have a safe, warm and meaningful holiday!

Share on Facebook

Holiday Bazzar Lisa J Booth at the House of Awakening Suquamish, WA December 2010

I think due to the recent economic( fun times) is the reason that I have noticed more people in Kitsap County selling crafts and services to supplement  income and have a little fun. Most vendors I have met have day jobs and are turning hobbies into cash.

Being a new vendor I have also noticed there are certain things that add up to success for selling goods and services in a local public environment.

As simple as these things may sound doing some very basic things can add up to success in a very short time.

• Bring your own lunch.  It is very easy to get caught up in spending your cash on food. Bringing you  own lunch will keep your spirits high and will help you meet and greet your customers.
• Bring change. I get change for at least a twenty dollar bill. It is a cash vending world for the most part.
• Price items so there is something for everyone. Children especially love being able to buy a little trinket at your booth for $1 or $2 and it won’t break the parents pocket book.
• Follow the height and light rule. Make sure your products are as close to eye level as possible and that there is enough lighting to shine on your products.
• Bags or packaging. People often shop bazaars or festivals to buy unique gifts for others so make sure you have an attractive box or bag so they can give it as a gift.
• Don’t be mean to your competition. Artisans can often learn tips and enjoy each others designs, so being friendly will help you gain more knowledge about other shows and other valuable information.
• Business cards and website is a must nowadays. This will allow you the potential opportunity to gain a warm market with repeat customers. They will appreciate the option of being able to purchase more of your goods easily online.
• Share a booth with another vendor that has product that compliments your product. This will help you gain more traffic as customers will stay longer at your table because they have more variety. People love choices!
• If you share a booth, be respectful of space and make sure there is equal amount of space for everyone. Make sure all of your products have prices on them in case you have to go to the bathroom or want to visit other vendors. Sharing will help make sure someone is at the booth at all times. Do not interrupt or chime in regarding the sale of another vendors items. It is just rude.
• Small talk is OK with visitors and is usually welcomed- but remember visitors are going to each booth and sometimes they just like to look without engaging in conversation. It gets tiring for them, so be pleasant and smile and say hello.

• Have fun and enjoy yourself. This will attract more visitors to your booth and they will wonder what you are up to- not to mention that having a craft/ hobby is on the top of the list to relieving stress ( other than getting a pet) so if you do not have a hobby, maybe it is time to get one?      

Do you sell craft items? I would love to hear more tips- so comment below. Happy Selling!

Share on Facebook

PHOTO BY (LARRY STEAGALL | KITSAP SUN

I know I did. Kinda.

Last Monday I started a new job which was also the day of our Kitsap SNOWAPALOOZA. I drive my husband and daughter to there bus stops ( as we live in the woods now and both bus stops are too far to walk) lucky me!

At 6:10 it was cold and clear and very dark.

At 7:10 my daughter sais” It is snowing” I say “no it is not” with mom attitude to ward of the ” Can I stay home?” questions from my sweet 14 year old (Emily).

9 something AM. I hear the cat door opening and closing and my dog Bo keeps running up to me back and forth snorting and prancing around, I am like what is your problem?  He is getting in and out the cat door. Not realizing the baby gate is off the back steps for some unknown reason and he could of taken off running down the street (which he usually does) but amazingly he didn’t!

I guess he was trying to tell me IT IS SNOWING MOMMY!?  Being a Husky/Sheppard mix this of course would cause him to run to around like a crazy maniac- kinda like his tail is on fire or something (as he as only seen snow in 2008) so it has been awhile!

As he is running around the house like a maniac, ( I still do not realize the baby gate is down) and then…quick break from emailing people ( I am trying to feel professional) I get up to get a cup of coffee,  and I look out the kitchen window and there is Bella ( white Sheppard/Husky) loose in the snow in the backyard and it IS SNOWING!

Big, big SNOW!  Like it used to snow when I lived in upstate N.Y.  I  am thinking I should be tougher than this, but this storm had all the makings for a real disaster. Ice, Wind and freezing temperatures in a area that does not have the same kind of snow response that eastern climates have. Then on top of that you have the inexperienced snow drivers..more on that later But you can all buy a snow brush here, K? colors may vary.

I mean really…this is one of the main reasons why I moved from upstate N.Y. I like the rain, mmm the snow??  NOT so much!

Then Bella (white dog..blends in with the snow) spots me looking at her and she hauls tail around the house and down the street. I get my keys, run to the car and drive down the street, the minute she sees me she hops in the car, like “OH, sorry.. I was just kiddin Mom”. By this time I am soaked and cold.

Fast forward… of course I then have to sit  for the high school bus (which is an hour late) thankfully they drove slow for safety.  My daughter is giddy. We are not gonna have school tomorrow! Ya think? A ten minute drive at this point takes me 20 minutes.

The the real fun begins. I went to wait for the worker bus..sat there for almost five hours in the snow. I had the pleasure of seeing electric poles explode and trees fall around me and the white outs from hell. Nevermind that my husband is stuck on a bus on an off-ramp K? People were nice that passed me and almost everyone stopped to make sure I was O.K. Finally, about 9:15 pm a neighbors car rolls up with my husband.  A tree was covering Clear Creek road and the bus couldn’t pass it so they drove under it!

Mind you, we have had no power for most of the day, so my Internet and phone are down. Nice way to start a new job.

With all of the drama I have forgotten to eat.

Luckily, I had a pound of hamburger thawed in the refrigerator. We are cold and hungry at this point, so my husband started the wood stove and made it roar so we could cook dinner on it.We bickered about what we were gonna have for our creative meal. I wanted something we could all eat and he wanted to cook separate things. I won of course and while eating it I am thinking that this is the best meal I have ever had! Guess I was desperate, but it was really good.

Lisa’s No Power Wood Stove Hamburger Recipe

1 pound of Hamburger

Half a bag of Egg Noodles

2 Cans of Mushroom Soup

1 can of Mixed Vegetables

Half a pkg. Cream Cheese

Directions:

Fry hamburger on skillet. Heat up Mushroom Soup in large sauce pan. When the soup is hotter than hot get your pot holders out. Add noodles ( the hot soup will soften them)  Add fried Hamburger meat. Use candle to make sure hamburger meat is done with no red parts…then add cream cheese, mixed veggies and season to taste.

Feeds 4-5 People. Did you eat anything weird during Kitsap SNOWAPALOOZA?

Martha eat your heart out. Enjoy!

Share on Facebook

I cannot believe how fast the holidays are approaching. Time and money seem to be in short supply this year so I have done a few things to help alleviate the stress of planning for gifts and functions. This year I am attending many local Holiday Bazaars for reasonable and thoughtful gifts. This past weekend I attended the Eagles Club Bazzar in Poulsbo and scored a “made in the jar” cookie gift and some really nice Jewelry.

Keep it in Kitsap and buy local!

I am wondering what are the best items or products are that you have bought locally or from a artist?

This weekend I will be visiting the House of Awakened Culture that will help me get arts, & crafts, raffles & 50/50, and food galore!

It is from Saturday- Sunday November 20-21st 10am – 4pm in Suquamish. Suquamish is a unique community with little shops, restaurants and the most gorgeous view of Seattle and the surrounding area that you ever did see. It will be a treat for your shopping and scenery senses and a great way to spend the day!

Yours truly will be there both days selling AND buying! If you see me, come say hello. I may even interview you for this blog. It might not make you totally (ok maybe a little) famous AND you can brag the link to all your relatives and friends!

Hope to see all of you there!

Share on Facebook