BirminghamMom.com, the go-to information source for local moms, wrote a blog article about AlabamaGoods.com.   BirminghamMom.com gives busy moms helpful tips on ways to save money, save time, and stay informed of the latest goings on in Birmingham.  Their blog on AlabamaGoods.com focused on buying gifts for out-of-town friends and relatives.  Click here to read the BirminghamMom article,
http://www.birminghammom.com/2009/12/find-alabama-goods.html

Sherry

 AlabamaGoods.com has developed a reputation for our wonderful gift boxes, and in response to our customers' requests, we have now added fabulous gift baskets.  Because our delicious gourmet and snack foods are made in Alabama, everything is at the peak of freshness.  We keep up with the latest gift packaging trends, so you can be assured that your gifts will look spectacular.  We want your gift recipients to be wowed!  Click here to select by price range and view our selection.

Attention Alabama and Auburn fans, we have something special just for you.  Actually, we have several things!  We carry a great selection of tasteful, high-quality collegiate products.  You'll find attractive items that will enhance your environment, such as: water color paintings, welcome mats, lamps, ceramic platters, and woven throws.  No plastic or resin allowed!  Show your school spirit and your good taste at the same time.  Check out our collegiate collection.

AlabamaGoods.com conducted a survey in August inquiring about corporate gift buying for the upcoming holiday season.  The results revealed that 38% were definitely giving gifts this year and 33% were undecided at the time.  Since this was our first survey, we don't have comparison data.  However, the data collected will serve as a benchmark for the next few years.  If you participated in completing our survey, thank you!  If you didn't get a chance to participate, look forward to receiving a survey from us next August. 

 

Happy in Alabama  -  Sherry and Beth

Last minute great news! We will be participating the Junior League of Birmingham Holiday Market. The AlabamaGoods.com elves are busy preparing gifts for everyone on your list – wrapped and ready to please. Join us November 19-21, 2009 at the Cahaba Grand Conference Center. It’s where Santa shops!

Sherry is going to be on the Michael Hart's show  on WYDE radio at 2:30 central, Sunday, October 25. Sherry and Michael will talk about Alabama made pottery and the artists who create the unique and wonderful pieces. Sherry has had the opportunity to meet the potters and see many types of work including, unique and proprietary glazes, funky-functional pieces, folk art style and so much more. Tune in! You'll be amazed at what Alabama has to offer. http://alabamagoods.com/pottery.html

Beth

 

Congrats to Tammy B. and Monica C., both of Birmingham. Tammy won the Facebook Fan gift basket and Monica won the Boss Day gift package. We are proud to share Alabama made products and goodies with them. Check back regularly to enter to win the next fantastic Alabama gift.
http://alabamagoods.com/info.html

Now would be a good time to show the boss some appreciation.  The perfect opportunity is ahead.  Boss' Day is Friday, October 16th.  AlabamaGoods.com has a fantastic selection of Boss' Day gifts from $20 to $175.  Whatever you choose, your boss will be delighted!  Check out these great Boss' Day gifts.

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Need more story ideas? Keep reading our blog. The front page of the Money section of the October 4, 2009, ‘Birmingham News’ featured a story from the Associated Press describing holiday trends for 2009. Here’s a reprint: http://www.wsmv.com/money/21196558/detail.html Sounds good, but it’s old news. We blogged about it in July, on the 29^th to be exact. Ok, Associated Press, if you are going to copy us, at least stay current.

We are giving one lucky Facebook Fan a $100 gift basket - just for being a fan.
http://www.alabamagoods.com/info.html
Become a fan by October 9, 2009 and you have a chance to win the basket. We'll ship it anywhere in the US. Featuring hand-painted glasses, this luxury gift basket comes packed with gourmet goodies including roasted nuts, Alabama cheese, crisp crackers, zesty cheese straws and so much more. Retail value $100. We love our fans and you'll love this one-of-a-kind gift.



Beth

that the world started to notice the best pickles in the universe, Wickles Pickles are made in Alabama.

http://in.sys-con.com/node/1116473

From cucumbers and relish to banana peppers and okra, Wickles pickles the freshest vegetables to create unbeatable pickles. Order some today and see for yourself:

http://alabamagoods.com/wickles-pickles-gift-set.html


Beth

Today is National Wife Appreciation Day. Someone please tell my husband since it seems insincere coming from me. This IS a gift-giving occasion – isn’t it? I was thinking I could use something shiny and expensive -  a Christini upgrade for my KTM fits the bill. Or, since my birthday is October 21, Wife Appreciation Day could be a springboard to Beth’s Birthday Month. I could get a gift every day, like Hanukkah. Someone call my husband and be sure he knows.

 

Wait, maybe I’ve missed the point of the holiday. Maybe I should be thankful for my husband and recognize his role in my life – he’s the one who made me a wife. Maybe this is a reminder for me to express gratitude for all he does for me and the kids. Nah, bring on the gifts.

Beth

Are you someone who would rather spend $130 on a piece of art than the latest pair of athletic shoes?  Then you'll want to know about our new collection of glass art by Mimi Boston and Robin Jackson, established glass artists in Birmingham, Alabama.  These pieces can add interest to an otherwise ordinary room.  Go ahead, splurge a little and get a lifetime of enjoyment with an extraordinary one-of-a-kind piece of glass art.  View this and other pieces on AlabamaGoods.com.

Sherry

Today is National Grandparents Day. While it doesn’t get the notoriety of Mother or Father’s Day, it’s special none the less since it recognizes a few significant and influential relationships in your life. While my grandparents have passed away, my time with them was precious and I cherish the days we spent together. That relationship of conditional acceptance and patient guidance is a unique experience for both a child and a grandparent and it deserves to be honored. Happy Grandparent’s Day.

Beth

Labor Day is a Happy-Sad Day for me. I’m a little verklempt since it marks the end of Vidalia onion season. This sweet southern onion puts the boring yellow onion to shame. While I know sweet onion season will begin next spring, I miss God’s perfect grilling vegetable.

 

The happy news is the beginning of muscadine season. Fall marks the harvest for my favorite fruit. I literally eat them by the gallon since my neighbor sells them that way. Are they infused with crack? I can’t seem to get enough. I’ll cry a little over the onions but bring on the muscadines.

 

P.S. If you know a great food product that is made in Alabama with either muscadines or Vidalia onions, please share the good news. Contact@alabamagoods.com. We’d love to include them in our gift packages.

http://www.alabamagoods.com/index.html

Beth

My husband and I recently attended the coolest event. On a rare date night at the end of the summer, we went to a showing of ‘Grease’ sing along movie at the Alabama Theater in downtown Birmingham. The song lyrics are included on the screen so the audience can sing along. I’ve seen ‘Grease’ at least 20 times but never at a theater – and never with 100s of people who love the movie as much as I do. The air was electric.

 

An event at the Alabama Theater is always a treat. The restoration of this historic venue has returned the establishment back to its glamorous origins. Wander through and notice the details of the wall coverings, fixtures and features. The theater is like a museum of 1920’s historical opulence. Even the ladies room on the ground floor is a decorative parlor – part sitting room, part lounge. When you go, climb the stairs to the top balcony (yes, there is more than one) to the tip top, row Y. Even up in the nosebleed section you get a clear view of the stage. You can best appreciate the grandeur of the building with a bird’s eye view.

 

Treat yourself and go to an event at the Alabama Theater. http://www.alabamatheatre.com/Home/tabid/38/Default.aspx Go early and explore the magnificent building. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it as much as the show.

Beth

Before buying your BBQ sauce for Labor Day, you may want to hear what The Foodies have to say.   

 

AlabamaGoods.com recently hosted a BBQ sauce taste test and invited a group of hard-core southerners with discriminating palates we call The Foodies. They tested seven commercially available sauces made in Alabama.  Concealing the brand name, participants were asked to dip a bit of pork roast in each sauce, and then clear their palates with a bite of white bread before trying the next.  Here are their comments in no particular sauce order:
 
The Foodies truly enjoyed Costa's sauce. They thought it was the complete package. From the rich color to its combination of interesting flavors, this sauce was hit.  http://www.alabamagoods.com/al4266.html

 

They appreciated Ollie's sauce for its spicy nature with a kick. One taster described the sauce as hearty and full flavored with a long, slow burn. http://www.alabamagoods.com/ollie6.html

Big Bob Gibson's whitesauce was described as having a pleasant pepper flavor with a lingering lemony/tart taste. The Foodies wanted to experience this sauce on vegetables and chicken. http://www.alabamagoods.com/al4267.html


Dreamland sauce was noted to be tangy and appreciated by those who love well-prepared meat since the flavor of the sauce did not overwhelm the meat. The light cayenne pepper taste gave it a nice zip. http://www.alabamagoods.com/dreamland6.html


Golden Rule sauce was a hit with the tasters who desired a simpler tomato based sauce. It was found to be well-mannered with the unanticipated ending of a little spice. 

 
Montego Joe's white sauce was thought to be tart and kid-friendly with its creamy nature. Additionally, the squeeze bottle makes it easy to use at any age. It would be good on chicken or vegetables.  http://www.alabamagoods.com/montego-white6.html


 
The smoky nature of Bob Sykes was enhanced by its vinegar overtones. It could be added to other sauces to create an interesting marinade, dressing or soup.  http://www.alabamagoods.com/sykes6.html


Our favorite Foodie comment, "If a woman in Alabama wants to attract a man, she should just dab on some BBQ sauce."  

 

Have a taste test of your own, or send some Alabama BBQ sauce to your favorite Foodie.   Check out the variety of BBQ gift packages on AlabamaGoods.com. 



Sherry

I don’t usually cheer when an Alabama store goes belly-up. However, a restaurant in Athens, Alabama is closing and it’s all my fault. Ok, lots of people had a part in it, but I’ll take some of the credit.

http://www.enewscourier.com/local/local_story_216210359.html

 

The owners got so busy making their delicious chips that they are too busy for the restaurant business. We’ve been ordering chips from Mark for a year with good reason. His cinnamon tortilla chips are crispy delight. The traditional tortilla chips are a lower-fat and higher-flavor alternative with salsa. When you want a unique food in Alabama, let the crunching begin.



Beth

 

I just got back from a remarkable vacation – one of those soul-renewing, perspective-changing trips that I hope everyone is fortunate enough to have at least once in their life. We rode dualsport motorcycles from Trinidad, Colorado to Moab, Utah and back. We spent time riding the Kokopelli Trail, Slick Rock, several mountain passes, Arches National Park, White Rim Trail at Canyonlands National Park (brutal in August) and so much more. There were majestic and memorable sites at every turn. We woke up one day in Lake City, CO and it was 35 degrees then spent a day riding the desert at over 100 degrees. On my last full day in Colorado, after a rare rainfall, I saw a spectacular site:

 

 

 a double rainbow.

 

As cathartic and refreshing the riding experience had been, the rainbow reminds me there’s no place like home.

Beth

Twice a year, Beth and I attend the wholesale gift market in Atlanta.  Every July we go to observe trends, find new Alabama made products, and select our packaging for the upcoming holiday season.  We made three interesting observations that seem to be an indicator of the times.   

1.    The holiday décor reflected the country's mood.  The predominant color scheme was traditional red, green, and gold.  Gone were the trees decorated in turquoise, lime, or silver. This seems to indicate that people desire to create a warm, homey environment.  Similarly, we selected holiday gift packaging for this year that reflects this trend.  We will be using hearty woven baskets and extra-wide ribbon in traditional colors.  
 
2.    Another sign of the times, the typical crowd was not at Market.  Fewer companies were buying, and those that were buying expected discounts.  It seemed a given that the upcoming holiday season would be light.  When polling our corporate customers, their comments mirror our observation.  Most still plan on giving gifts to their clients, but are scaling back.  Instead of spending $75 per gift, they're going to spend $50 per gift.  And we've noticed an increase in the number of our corporate customers sending client appreciation gifts outside of the holiday season, such as at their fiscal year end.  Companies want to strengthen client relationships while making the biggest impact with their marketing dollars.  A couple of advantages: 1) The gifts are memorable.  They're not mingled with gifts received from other companies during the holidays.  2) The message is clear, "You're important and we appreciate the business you've given us".   

3.    We saw fewer new vendors than in previous Market trips, but an area where we observed an increase in offerings was in the Collegiate product category. This could be an indicator that people want to connect with their past, plan on staying home to watch their team, or simply desire to exhibit team pride.  We won’t be buying the new plastic tissue covers we saw (yuck), but we did find several new collegiate items that we will be adding this fall. 

 

Do any of these observations mirror your personal feelings and experiences?  Click on Add Comment below to respond.

 
Sherry

Since fall is around the corner, it’s time to strap on the feedbag. Alabama has some unique fall festivals, all centered around food, and you won’t want to miss any of the fun. Travel the state for a smorgasbord of wonderful flavors and fabulous home grown Alabama foods.  

 

If you like to eat and watch your waistline, you’ll love the Watermelon Festival in Russellville on Aug 14-15. Find out more at http://www.franklincountychamber.org/.

 

The food schedule wouldn’t be complete without a BBQ festival in Birmingham. After two days of expertly prepared Alabama BBQ, you’ll be convinced that the South will rise again. Find out more about the 5^th Annual Stokin' the Fire BBQ & Music Festival at www.slossfurnaces.com.

 

The 65th Annual National Peanut Festival on October 30 -Nov 7 is an event you have to attend at least once in your life. Approximately half of the peanuts grown in the United States are grown within a 100-mile radius of Dothan, Alabama and they know how to celebrate the crop. http://www.nationalpeanutfestival.com/   

Nov 6-8, 2009 is the Alabama Pecan Festival in Mobile. Plan on stocking up on farm fresh pecans for the holidays. http://www.alabamapecanfestival.com/

 

Of course, if you miss the festivals, you can get your fill of Alabama foods at AlabamaGoods.com. Enjoy them any time of the year without leaving the comfort of home.


Beth

You’re not going to guess what today is. School hasn’t started yet so it’s not Labor Day. It’s too warm for Christmas. There’s no special candy in the store so it can’t be Halloween or Valentine’s Day. By presidential proclamation, today is Parent’s Day (4^th Sunday in July - http://www.parentsday.com/ ). I’m not really sure what to make of it since we just celebrated Mother’s Day and Father’s Day (aren’t those days to recognize parents?) I guess you celebrate raising kids to be their best by doing your best to raise them – then that would make every day Parent’s Day. Well, Mom and Dad, I forgot to mail a card but Happy Parent’s Day.

 

Beth

Orange Beach, Alabama, is one of our family’s favorite vacation destinations.  We just spent a week there and loved every range Beachminute.  Alabamians should brag on our breathtaking coastline to anybody who will listen.  We also can claim some of the best eating joints a beach has to offer.  I noticed several of the restaurants offer freshly baked cheesecake on their menus.  I was pleased to learn that the most popular cheesecake requested in the Gulf Shores area is the same offered on AlabamaGoods.com.  It’s no surprise with ingredients like fresh whole eggs, squeezed lemon juice, and Melipone vanilla that people keep coming back for more.  My favorite flavor is key lime! 

Sherry
 

I usually do my best thinking in the shower, but this morning I couldn’t think of anything except how much I like this new Alabama made soap. This herb soap is sensational for the summer. The herbs are grown and harvested from a small nursery in Alabama especially for the soaps. The fragrance is mild and clean – no strong perfumes or overwhelming odor. What I loved the most is exfoliating effect of the herbs. The combination of lavender and rosemary feels fantastic over summer sun-dried skin. You’ll love it too!



Beth

I read this article with great interest about big box retailers claiming to be local. 

http://www.eastbayexpress.com/news/the_corporate_co_opt_of_local/Content?oid=1151104
Wal-Mart local?! Yeah, right. Having a store in an area does not make you local. Counting on a specific geographic region for a customer base does not make you local. These multi-state, import loving companies are not local.

Local means that your store represents that unique flavor of the state.

Local means that the products are baked, created, formed or painted in the state.

Local means that citizens of the state produce these authentic and original items.

Local means that 100% of sales support families in the state.

 

Local is AlabamaGoods.com. Alabama Products. Alabama People. Alabama Creativity. Alabama Flavor.

Beth

Alabama has such a wide variety of terrain that leads to so many kinds of things to do outside.  One of those fun places is High Falls. In Dekalb County, Town Creek comes to wide rocky section where the river gets very shallow. The river seems to barely make it past the rocks before it runs together and over the edge to create High Falls. What makes the area so much fun is that you can crawl down and around the tall rocky walls and jump into the water below. The daring souls in the crowd jump from the top – not me – I crawl down about half way before I’ll jump. I was there for the Independence Day enjoying the Alabama sunshine. Alabama is such a great place to live.

P.S. I got a little sunburned and I tried the shea butter. Wow, this stuff is good!

I can hardly believe that there’s talk of Alabama and Auburn football already. Weren’t we just singing “Auld Lang Syne” last week? Whether you shout “Roll Tide” or “War Eagle” we all have an opinion on some of the newest conversation on Sectalk.com. – what’s your favorite comfort food?  http://www.sectalk.com/boards/water-fountain/72350-whats-your-comfort-food.html  I have access to more Alabama food than you can imagine but one of my favorites is Bud’s Best cookies. Food in Alabama comes in sweet, savory, salty, crispy, crunchy and so much more but one of my indulgences is Bud’s cookies. I had a chance to meet Bud (yes, there is a Bud behind all those cookies) several years ago and I was struck by his ‘everyday Joe’ demeanor. He’s nice to everyone –which says a lot for his character. While the huge yummy factor of the cookies keeps me coming back, supporting Bud’s company makes me smile.  Try them alone

http://www.budsbestcookies.com/ or in an AlabamaGoods.com gift pack:  http://www.alabamagoods.com/the-birmingham-box.html



Beth

A new product we offer on AlabamaGoods.com highlights the craftsmanship of Alabamians.  While most "wood" furniture in stores includes pressboard or plywood, the furniture made by Ashlen Furniture is 100% wood.  The style of their handcrafted chairs harkens back to a time when hand-carved detail was a standard.  Ashlen's Standard Country Comb-Back chair features a hand-carved comb, an extremely rare detail requiring a skill that is quickly vanishing.  We love Alabama products that showcase our State's love for tradition and craftsmanship.


Sherry

Looking for ways to cool off? One of the most refreshing things nature has to offer is peppermint.  When this fragrant herb is added to indulgence products, it creates in invigorating experience.  That’s why Cotton Bloom's Peppy Peppermint shower gel has been a hit this summer.  We have a Cotton Bloom gift set that includes their increasingly popular Alabama made indulgence products: Peppy Peppermint gel and refreshing Green Tea lotion. We also added an uplifting citrus basil candle.  Refresh yourself in this Alabama heat!

Sherry

Conversations about food in Alabama eventually come around to favorite BBQ. No matter where you live, you can get your favorite sauce shipped directly to your door. The variety of barbeque sauces available will please any palate. From the vinegar-based Ollie's sauce to the white sauce of Montego and the MSG free Mr. P marinade, you have all the fixins' you need to make your next BBQ a feast. Find your favorite here: Alabama BarBQ sauces.  If food in Alabama interests you, design your own gift pack of barbeque sauce. Mmmmm Mmmmmm Good!



Beth

Alabamians are serious about their barbecue.  That’s why we’re so good at it!  Just the smell of smoke rising from the grill brings on a flood of fond memories.  We could keep the experience to ourselves, or we could share it with those we feel are deserving.  We offer the perfect way to share Alabama BBQ -  Dreamland!  Known for their ribs and Sunbeam bread, Dreamland’s menu has expanded to include unbeatable pulled pork and smoked sausage.  We’re pleased to offer several Dreamland gift packages.  Alabama knows a thing or two about Alabama Barbecue.



Sherry

I really don’t like working on my motorcycle. Bikes are for riding, not tinkering. I like knowing that the work is done and the sense of accomplishment when I’ve fixed something I’ve never done before but to spend time in the garage with grease all over my hands is low on my list. After a repair/maintenance session in the garage, I had the usual grunge under my nails but the hand cleaner my husband uses is so abrasive and stinky that it’s just about as bad as the grease. I tried the new Alabama Goods Peaceful Peach Sea Salt Scrub. Wow! What a difference. The grease was gone and my hands felt soft without a harsh chemical smell. Alabama products can really surprise you. Send this made in Alabama treasure to the mechanic on your list for Father’s Day or any day. http://alabamagoods.com/gentle-salt-scrub.html

Beth

Depending on the dad, Father's Day can be an easy gift buying holiday, or pull-your-hair-out frustrating.  We've assembled a wide variety of alabama made gifts for this important day that will make gift selection easy.  See our fantastic Father's Day offerings, http://www.alabamagoods.com/father-s-day.html. 

Each gift includes an attractive gift box and personalized note card.  With our worldwide shipping experience, your alabama made gift will arrive in perfect condition.  We want Dad to be delighted!

Sherry.

There are some Alabama products that you just have to buy for yourself.  Marta's brownies is one of those products, http://alabamagoods.com/martas-brownies.html. They are the type of brownies that I’d like to be famous for baking, but wouldn’t take the time to make from scratch.

 

My family loves these brownies. They have a rich chocolate flavor without chocolate overload. They are moist and not too cake-like. The added chocolate chips and pecan pieces add flavor and texture and make a perfect confection. They make your taste buds sing.

 

When I bring some home, I field the usual questions, ‘Can I have a brownie for breakfast?’ Not dissuaded, the next question is, ‘Well, can I at least have dessert with breakfast?’ Did I mention that my family clamors for these brownies? They are high on yummy and low on cost, so I love them too. I like to buy 2 dozen at a time. One comes out immediately and the other goes in the freezer for later. You can always count on the fact that Alabama foods always come with an extra helping of scrumptious-ness and these brownies take the cake.



Beth

Most coffee drinkers have their favorite mug, the one they always search out no matter how many other mugs are sitting in the cabinet.  I’ll even take my favorite from the dirty dishes in the dishwasher and clean it by hand.  My favorite mug happens to be made in Alabama with Alabama clay.  Anne Webb, a potter in Magnolia Springs, makes each mug on the potter’s wheel.  Designed with comfort in mind, these mugs are not too heavy the way some clay mugs can be and the handle is wider than most, so it feels good to hold.   She also hand paints an abstract dragonfly on each side and signs and dates it.  See Anne's mug on AlabamaGoods, http://www.alabamagoods.com/webb-mug.html.

Sherry

I firmly believe that that we are not Southerners based on our geography. Southerners are knit together based on connected history, culture and values, no matter where they happen to live. Geography just gives us good weather. << MORE >>

Wow! What a chest! Wood worker Nelson Brooks just completed the most gorgeous wooden chests for us. Rich woods stained to beautiful colors made a handsome presentation. Additionally, Nelson cut custom felt-covered inserts for each box to accommodate antler pens and letter openers.  I’m such a sucker for natural materials and this desk collection makes me gasp. There’s talent and skill to spare in Alabama. Striking Alabama products abound at Alabama Goods.

Beth

We found a powerhouse of flavor in one little Alabama company.  Not Yo Mama's makes wildy delicious marmalades, hot sauce, and Bloody Mary mix.  Their marmalade is the buckin' bronco of marmalades and super versatile.  Scoop some on cream cheese to create a WOW appetizer, or blend with stone ground mustard to make a can't-get-enough chicken glaze.  

The hot sauce can be added to anything that could use a some zing.  This fresh hotty has fantastic flavor with a combination of habanera, lime juice, and cider vinegar.  

Not Yo Mama’s Bloody Mary mix.has natural ingredients of celery seed, lime juice, and chipotle, making it an incredible Bloody Mary, steak marinade, rib braise, or soup base.  

Check out the Not Yo Mama's gift set in our Food category containing 2 marmalades, a hot sauce, and a bottle of Bloody Mary mix.  Get your flavor on! 



http://alabamagoods.com/not-yo-mama.html

Sherry

There are always new discoveries on AlabamaGoods.com.  We search high and low for interesting items made in Alabama.  One of our newest finds is business card and pen holders made from stained glass.  These are the most beautiful desk accessories we've ever seen!  They are functional pieces of art designed for the office, made exclusively for AlabamaGoods.com by glass artist, Penny Arnold.  You can view them in the Miscellaneous section of our Corporate category.   

http://alabamagoods.com/miscellaneous.html


Sherry

If you imagined  lingerie made in Alabama , what words words would spring to mind?  Maybe charming, flirty, tasteful, well-made?  That would be a perfect description of lingerie made by Upsee Daisees, a company in Birmingham, Alabama.  This loungewear is designed to be super flattering.  Southern gals wouldn't expect any less!  Every Upsee Daisee outfit is made with their signature comfy bra with adjustable straps and is carerully constructed from 100% pre-shrunk cotton.  This loungewear is so cute and flattering, you'll want to wear them all day.  Not only does AlabamaGoods.com carry Upsee Daisees, we have them on sale!  Check out the exciting selection in our Clothing category.

Sherry

Paired with the scrumptious Alabama ham shipped pre-cooked and ready to enjoy, I’ll have an Easter table everyone wants to join. Alabama products dressed up for Easter and on sale – just what I wanted for Easter.<< MORE >>

Great golly! We finally found it. We knew we needed t-shirts for women – something pretty and unique with a touch of sassy. The “Pretty” line of t-shirts fits the bill. They are fun and charming, with original designs to represent Birmingham, Montgomery and Huntsville. The form fit is flattering to any figure. You are going to love these Alabama specialty products.

http://alabamagoods.com/clothing--women.html

Beth

Sandra Heaven is a talented and established potter in Cullman. Her Alabama pottery is nothing less than stunning. Sandra uses proprietary glazes to create a swirl of color that is difficult to duplicate in other pottery. We carry all three sizes of her Heavenly bowls. Decorators use Sandra's pottery as eye-catching accent pieces adding an upscale, yet inviting feel to a room. Her Heavenly Bowls can also double as serving pieces. They are food and dishwasher safe. You'll find these lovely Alabama gift treasures in the AlabamaGoods.com Home Accents category.

http://alabamagoods.com/home-accents.html

Sherry

Many of the Alabama souvenirs we sell on AlabamaGoods.com carry with them interesting backgrounds. Last week, we added Tweet Home Alabama note cards made by Carolyn Lewis. The cover design is in the shape of a bird created with atlases given to Carolyn by her grandfather. What a great concept! Carolyn captured most of the well known cities in Alabama: Birmingham, Mobile, Montgomery, Decatur, Huntsville (pictured), Tuscaloosa, Gadsden, Auburn, Cullman, Florence, and Alexander City. She will even create a note card if the desired Alabama city is not listed. We've tagged these as a ''hot item" because they are different, adorable, and affordable.

Sherry

I met with a lovely group of women yesterday and it reminded me that some of our best new vendors come from referrals. They knew several folks who make fabulous and unique Alabma products that could be perfect fit at AlabamaGoods.com. So, it's an open invitation. Please let us know of your favorite cooks, artisans, and craftsmen so we can meet them too. Do you have a favorite confection? Is there a hand-crafted Alabama made gift you love to give? Are we missing a gift made in Alabama from the site? Let us know!

Beth

I'm often asked about my favorite item and typically it has something do with a new food product that Sherry and I just discovered. Right now it's a pen - and not just any pen. It's made from the antler of deer. The look is cool - the feel is authentic. The carver uses fabulous hardware so the look is sleek and polished. The texture is interesting and the weight and fit are oh so comfortable. It's forest meets fashion and fun. Discovering the groovy and interesting Alabama products is the real joy to this job.

http://alabamagoods.com/antler-pen.html

Beth

Most of our orders are received from businesses and individual shoppers. This week, we received an opportunity to make gift boxes for missionaries. Covenant Presbyterian dedicates a week to hosting missionaries from around the world. These missionaries share their stories and use the time as a renewal period before heading back to their mission homes.

This calls for a creative gift! Covenant wants these families to experience a taste of Alabama. We suggested a combination of Redd Eye salsa, Blanco tortilla strips, Peanut Depot peanuts, Montego Joe cookies, and Priester's peanut brittle. We'll incorporate the 'look' Covenant is using for this event by creating a themed decal on our new chocolate colored boxes (happens to be one of the colors in their theme) with a great looking ribbon. We love designing gifts with Alabama made food and customizing the wrapping to fit the occasion! I'm sure these missionaries and their families will feel cared for, and that's exactly what our customer wants.

Sherry

Ok, I admit it. I can't even stay awake long enough to watch the ball drop. Heck, I can barely count the passing years. Can it be 2009 already? Sherry and I are thankful to everyone who has supported AlabamaGoods.com. We appreciate our wonderful customers and fabulous vendors. It's been a joy to link them. We sent products of Alabama to (probably - I haven't counted) every state in the union during the Christmas season. This job puts the wonder in wonderful.

Beth

I don't care what my neighbors and friends think, I finally got our Christmas decorations up (via Claire, my daughter), and they're staying up, at least until mid January. AlabamaGoods.com had me hoppin' this season, which left little time for decorating and zero time for baking. But hey, we were blessed with orders and we are ever so thankful. I hope the same for next year. But this time I'll be more prepared. My sketchy plan involves finishing Christmas shopping by the end of October and decorating the first week in November. Christmas cards will have to be ready to go before Thanksgiving or they're not going at all. Sound like a plan, or some wishful thinking? Time will tell.

Sherry

AlabamaGoods.com is my first experience in retail. I've owned two other companies. One was a human resource consulting and recruiting firm. The other was a company with three online job posting websites. Worlds apart from retail. I now view the Christmas season from a different angle. It's a happening world when you are in the business of providing Christmas gifts. Every time the phone rings, you think, "I hope that's going to be a another order!" Have I decorated my house for Christmas as I usually do the day after Thanksgiving? Nah. Am I concerned? Nah. I may not get around to it until Christmas Eve Eve. But that just means business is good. My family is just going to have to be patient this year, and the next, and the next..... Can I serve Alabama cookies for dinner?
Sherry