NEW ARRIVAL AT HANGING TREE LODGE

Our seamstress has been busy creating these custom Machine Washable Diaper Bag sets!
(See end of Post for a Special Offer)

!

Custom Diaper Bag Set 

Includes: Diaper Bag, Burp cloth, Changing pad with wipes/diaper pocket, Binkie tether and Bottle leash,
and a Net drawstring bag (embroidery shown on burp cloth is NOT included in the regular price of $145.00  plus S&H )

 Lovingly created from 100% cotton and polyester fleece batting, these bags can be machine washed!  Each  is a generous 20" wide by 15" high with 2 expanding side pockets and 4 large outer pockets PLUS an additional zippered pocket inside. The set includes a matching diaper changing pad with wet wipes and diapers pocket, a coordinating burp cloth, a binkie clip and bottle tether, as well as a drawstring net bag to hold an additional change of clothing, toys, etc.
These bags are custom made to order so each is as unique as the little person it is intended for. Embroidered personalization, is available for an additional charge.

Embroidery options shown

Personalization available!  Up to 6 letters for $8.00

 Other coordinating items are available, as well, like this Name Bunting!

Name bunting  $5.00 per letter. Includes free end pieces!

To order one for YOUR new arrival, contact us at (719)924-5825
We accept PAYPAL
SPECIAL Limited time OFFER:  Like us on Facebook and get a FREE name personalization (up to 6 letters) on the Bottle Leash!  Offer good through April 1, 2013

Summer is officially here, when the forecast  is supposed to be near 100! Thought you might enjoy an easy to make treat to help you keep your cool.

Easy Fruit Sherbert16 oz pkg unsweetened frozen fruit (peaches, raspberries, strawberries, etc)
2 cups Silk Coconutmilk or Almond Milk-Original
2 Tbsps Maple Syrup

Put everything together into a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a freezer safe container and freeze for several hours. 
Makes about 8 servings, under 100 calories, each!
Enjoy!

Our seamstress is back! Stay tuned for new items coming, soon!

Why didn't WE have these with OUR kids????

Binky tethers and bottle leashes?????  Wow! How I could have used these when my kids were little! What a pain it was retracing your steps in the store trying to find where your future shot putter threw his bottle this time! And trying to drive while reaching into the back floorboards to find a binkie??? Uh-uh. Just had to put up with the screaming until we could find a place to pull off and look for it!
Well, at least our grown children can be spared, now, with their kids! 
Hanging Tree Lodge is now offering "Binkie Tethers" and "Bottle Leashes".  They come in a variety of colors and patterns, whatever Grandma decides to make. Just contact us with your request and we'll see what we can come up with for YOUR little darlings.

 Set $12.00 +S&H

Binky Tether

Personalized Bottle Leashes! (Add $8.00 to Set Price-max 6 letters)

Zombies be Warned!

Show the world you are prepared with your very own, GLOW IN THE DARK, Zombie Survival Merit Badge! Wear it proudly and may the zombies quake at the sight of you!  Click on the title for ordering information.

Just in time for Mother's Day and Bridal Showers!

These pretty dishcloths and towel sets will add charm as well as functionality to any kitchen! The dishcloths have a "scrubbie" inset, made of non-scratch netting.  A coordinating applique is on the dishtowel.  Both are made of heavy duty "bar mop" toweling. Machine wash and dry, no bleach.
Price: $15.00/set (one cloth and one towel), plus Shipping/Handling
Choose from: Peach, Butterfly, Banana as shown.
Also available, but not shown: Apple, Pear

If you stay in Hotels, READ THIS POST! Help protect yourself from Identity Theft!

Here is an Email that's been circulating: PLEASE, PLEASE READ THE RESPONSE ABOUT IT. Do NOT get a false sense of security.

Email reads:
Always take a small magnet on your holiday, they come in handy at the end of it.


HOTEL KEY CARDS


Ever wonder what is on your magnetic key card?

Answer:
A. Customer's name
B. Customer's partial home address
C. Hotel room number
D. Check-in date and out dates
E. Customer's credit card number and expiration date!

When you turn them in to the front desk your personal information is there for any employee to access by simply scanning the card in the hotel scanner.. An employee can take a hand full of cards home and using a scanning device, access the information onto a laptop computer and go shopping at your expense.

Simply put, hotels do not erase the information on these cards until an employee reissues the card to the next hotel guest. At that time, the new guest's information is electronically 'overwritten' on the card and the previous guest's information is erased in the overwriting process.

But until the card is rewritten for the next guest, it usually is kept in a drawer at the front desk with YOUR INFORMATION ON IT!

The bottom line is: Keep the cards, take them home with you, or destroy them. NEVER leave them behind in the room or room wastebasket, and NEVER turn them into the front desk when you check out of a room. They will not charge you for the card (it's illegal) and you'll be sure you are not leaving a lot of valuable personal information on it that could be easily lifted off with any simple scanning device card reader.

For the same reason, if you arrive at the airport and discover you still have the card key in your pocket, do not toss it in an airport trash basket. Take it home and destroy it by cutting it up, especially through the electronic information strip!

If you have a small magnet, pass it across the magnetic strip several times. Then try it in the door, it will not work. It erases everything on the card.

Information courtesy of: Metropolitan Police Service.

RESPONSE FROM A FRIEND WHO IS A FORENSIC INVESTIGATOR:
Thanks for sharing, but unfortunately this is a hoax of longstanding without a shred of truth attached. Always check these things out if they don't sound quite right at www.snopes.com. Take care. Regards...Dave...

So there we have it, folks. Don't just take an email at face value. Check it out!

The Battle

Today, I went to battle. I went to battle with my "INNER CHILD". Life has been a bit stressful lately. And when stress hits, my INNER CHILD appears and says "I want to eat COOKIES"! Bleah, ADULT ME has been trying so hard to eat healthy, but INNER CHILD keeps screaming, "COOKIE"! Not just any cookie, either. INNER CHILD wants a cookie that tastes GOOD. With gooey chocolate, yeah . ADULT ME wants a cookie that is healthier than what I can find in the stores. Why don't healthy cookies taste good???? IT'S NOT FAIR, cries "INNER CHILD". Poor, poor me. Sniffle

Ok, ok, time to pull up my big girl panties and deal with it! If I can't buy a good tasting, healthy cookie, I'll make some! (INNER CHILD is doubtful of this and is sulking in the corner at the moment. I'll show her!) Hmmm,now what could I use that would help alleviate my stress, be healthier for me, and most importantly, TASTE GREAT, so INNER CHILD will stop that awful whining? Off to the internet I went, to research ingredients. Ok, we all know oatmeal is good for us, but INNER CHILD is demanding more than just a plain old oatmeal cookie. Alrighty, then. Research some more. Well, all of the stress reduction diets I found recommend the following items be eaten: Protein, Omega 3, B1, Folic Acid, B6, Selenium, B12, Magnesium, Inositol. Sheesh! Now, what has all that stuff in it???? Hmmmm. Oatmeal cookies still sound pretty good, but it doesn't have everything I need in it. But wait, I think I've got it! Tweak this, add that, EUREKA! The delicious results may surprise you as much as they did INNER CHILD! After reading the recipe, see the note at the bottom regarding what ingredients I used and why.


"Alligator Pear" Oatmeal Cookies w/Blueberries & Dark Chocolate Chunks
(Highly Recommended by my "INNER CHILD")
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup mashed "Alligator Pear", another name for avocado , very ripe (1 whole avocado) Shhh, don't tell "INNER CHILD", but avocados are an excellent butter replacement!!!! She'll never even taste it in these!
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup unbleached + 1/4 cup whole wheat flours
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 tsp cloves
• 3 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup chopped dark chocolate (I used some leftover Easter candies INNER CHILD didn't know about)
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/4 cup wheat germ
• 1/4 cup flaxseed
• 2 ounces dried blueberries
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Beat butter with the brown sugar and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the avocado pulp.
3. Add the egg and the vanilla extract and mix thoroughly.
4. Sift flour, baking soda, salt and spices together and add into the butter mixture. Mix in the rolled oats.
5. Stir in the chocolate chunks, wheat germ, flaxseed and walnuts.
6. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten slightly.
7. Bake 7-8 minutes.
8. Let sit on pan for a minute or 2, then remove to a wire rack to cool.

Yields: 48 cookies
Note:
Protein-provided by nuts and avocado
Omega 3-provided by the flaxseed
B1 & Folic Acid-provided by the whole grain flour and blueberries
B6 & Selenium-provided by the wheat germ, butter, avocado and oats
B12- provided by the egg
Magnesium-provided by the avocado
Inositol-provided by the nuts and whole grain flour.
Additionally, Dark Chocolate works by stimulating the production of endorphin that may give rise to a happy feeling.
Avocados, or Alligator Pears,contain high quality essential fatty acids and proteins that are easily digested. They also contain 14 minerals which regenerate and stimulate growth. They are an excellent source of iron and copper which build red blood cells. Avocados contain sodium and potassium which support a healthy alkaline blood balance. Because of their low sugar content and absence of starch, avocados are excellent for diabetics or sugar-sensitive disorders. This fruit contains vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C, iron, phosphorous and magnesium. Avocado is high in vitamin E which slows down aging. And just so you know, you can't taste it in the above recipe!
Blueberries, for brain health. The anthocyanin, the selenium, the vitamins A, B-complex, C and E, the zinc, sodium, potassium, copper, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese etc., among others, can prevent and heal neurotic disorders by preventing degeneration and death of neurons, brain-cells and also by restoring health of the central nervous system. They even heal damaged brain cells and neuron tissues and keep your memory sharp for a long-long time. Researchers found that diets rich in blueberries significantly improved both the learning capacity and motor skills of aging animals, making them mentally equivalent to much younger ones. (Take THAT, INNER CHILD)

So, now the battle is over. INNER CHILD is happily munching her Alligator Pear cookies, getting gooey chocolate all over her face, and ADULT ME is content, knowing she is victorious, once again!

New Items in "the Attic"

It's a beautiful day here at the Lodge. We've opened all the windows and been up in "the Attic" all morning. We found several nice items to offer you! If you are looking for Desert Storm items, be sure to check out the Night Desert Camo outfit. And a Wilson Leather jacket insulated with Thinsulate! See all the items by clicking on this post's title, or, go to http://www.hangingtreelodge.com/ and click on the "Link to The Attic" on the left side. Happy shopping!

Happy New Year

We at the Hanging Tree Lodge would like to wish all of our friends and customers a Happy New Year! This year will be bringing even more beautiful items into our store. Stop in soon and see what our resident seamstress and the woodworker have been up to!

Unusual uses for Coffee Filters!

I got an email the other day with these unusual tips for using coffee filters. Hope you like them as much as I do!

1. Cover bowls or dishes when cooking in the microwave to prevent spatters. Coffee filters make excellent covers.

2. Clean windows and mirrors. Coffee filters are lint-free so they'll leave windows sparkling.

3. Protect China . Separate your good dishes by putting a coffee filter between each dish to prevent scratches.

4. Filter broken cork from wine. If you break the cork when opening a wine bottle, filter the wine through a coffee filter.

5. Protect a cast-iron skillet. Place a coffee filter in the skillet to absorb moisture and prevent rust.

6. Apply shoe polish. Ball up a lint-free coffee filter.

7. Recycle frying oil. After frying, strain oil through a sieve lined with a coffee filter.

8. Weigh chopped foods. Place chopped ingredients in a coffee filter on a kitchen scale.

9. Hold tacos. Coffee filters make convenient wrappers for messy foods.

10. Stop the soil from leaking out of a plant pot. Line a plant pot with a coffee filter to prevent the soil from going through the drainage holes.

11. Prevent a Popsicle from dripping. Poke one or two holes as needed in a coffee filter.

12. Do you think we used expensive strips to wax eyebrows? Use strips of coffee filters.

13. Put a few in a plate and put your fried bacon, French fries, chicken fingers, etc on them. Soaks out all the grease.

14. Keep in the bathroom. They make great "razor nick fixers."

OH, YEAH - THEY ARE GREAT TO USE IN YOUR COFFEE MAKERS

Christmas?? It's July!

I know, I know, who wants to think about Christmas in July??? The truth is, not many of us! But, if you want to reduce the stress and save your budget this year, July is truly the perfect time to start on Christmas! Planning ahead will reduce the temptation and frustration of overspending in December. Here are some ideas and tips to get you started.
1. Make a list! Start by writing down who you want to get gifts for this year.
2. Divide the number of names on your list by the number of payperiods you have until Thanksgiving.
3. Decide your limit on how much you want to spend for each gift and STICK TO IT!
4. Purchase/make those gifts using ONLY the amount you have delegated for them each payday, then WRITE what you've bought and where you've put it by the name on the list!!!!
5. When buying online, try to combine your order. You'll save on shipping if you buy several things at a time and have them shipped together!

Tips: Get creative! Think "couples, or family" gifts. You can often pare down your list by making/purchasing 1 gift that is suitable for the entire family, saving yourself a heap of time and money! How about a Movie Night Themed Gift. Purchase a video, suitable for the couple/family on your list, or give them a gift certificate from a video rental store. Add some packets of microwave popcorn, a couple boxes of "movie theater" style candy from the dollar stores, wrap it all up in a cute basket or box and VOILA, a family gift!

Some "romantic spa" items for a couple is always appreciated! Handmilled soaps (http://hangingtreelodge.com/product.sc?categoryId=5&productId=14), a soap filled loofah (http://hangingtreelodge.com/product.sc?categoryId=5&productId=5) and a dog bone pillow (http://hangingtreelodge.com/product.sc?categoryId=7&productId=18) can all be attractively wrapped in a basket for those newlyweds, or couples who would like to feel like newlyweds, again!

Think personal: What would that person truly love? Shopping early gives you time to actually find something you know your recipient will appreciate!

Consider handmade: Starting early gives you the time to actually make something for that special someone! There are tons of free patterns/ideas on the internet for creating your own gifts! Skill levels range from incredibly easy, to quite complicated. If you aren't up to the challenge, consider giving them a handcrafted item made by someone else! We'd appreciate your consideration of the fine gifts made here at Hanging Tree Lodge, http://www.hangingtreelodge.com for any and all of your gift giving needs.

For your "GREEN" friends, consider making them each an eco-friendly, budget friendly cleaning kit! You can find the "recipes" for making these kits, here! http://hangingtreelodge.com/product.sc?categoryId=2&productId=7

We hope these ideas save you some frustration and $$$ this year!

More on Natural Insect Repellents

Hi, all!
Good Morning America had a segment on Natural Insect Repellents this morning! Michael Raupp, a professor of entomology, explains how to repel those critters. Watch this clip to find out which products are readily available on the market,http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=8089789&page=1

Then, check out our earlier post for a FREE, $$$ Saving Recipe" to make your own!
http://hangingtreelodge.blogspot.com/2009/06/official-start-of-summer.html

New at the Hanging Tree Lodge!

We've just added Handmilled Soaps to our collection of Mother Nature's Best products! These lovely 4 oz soaps are created right here at the Hanging Tree Lodge and come in a variety of scents created with essential oils, spices and herbs. Check them out, here!

http://hangingtreelodge.com/product.sc?categoryId=5&productId=14

Official Start of the Summer

Summertime is officially here. The calendar has nothing to do with it, I know because my son got his first mosquito bite of the season! Here at Hanging Tree Lodge, we don't like spraying toxic chemicals on ourselves, our kids or, our animals, so today, I whipped up some homemade bug repellent. You can make some for yourself by mixing a few drops of citronella oil (available at any health food store) and some witch hazel in a spray bottle. Lightly mist on yourself, your kids, dogs, deck, or patio and keep those bugs at bay! Reapply frequently, every hour or so and enjoy your summer evening! You can even add a few drops of citronella to any lamp oil or candle to help repel those nasty critters as well.

New Item in our Fine Art Gifts! Moonlight Buck SIGG water bottle

Help save the planet while you rehydrate in style with an eye-catching BPA-free water bottle from SIGG. This bottle is graced with "Moonlight Buck", a reproduction of an original painting by renowned Colorado Artist, Fern Forgie. Made from a single piece of aluminum, it's ultra-lightweight yet rugged and crack-resistant. To minimize unwanted tastes and scents, the inside is lined with a water-based, non-toxic epoxy resin that exceeds FDA leaching requirements.
Holds 1.0L
Recyclable & reusable
BPA-free
Lifetime warranty
Do not freeze

Click on our Original Fine Art Gifts link at http://www.hangingtreelodge.com/

Father's Day is June 21st!

Special Gifts for that Special Man

Visit us at Hanging Tree Lodge and choose from a variety of handcrafted items sure to please your father! Choose from this wooden "wristwatch" clock he can display on the mantle or wall,

or maybe he'd like a bear-themed checkerboard game?

Perhaps some soap created especially for your dad's dirty green thumbs? See our "Gardener's Friend", formulated especially to get that garden dirt off your hands.

Additionally, you can purchase mugs, mousepads and more by clicking on our Original Fine Art Gifts link, located on the left side of our home page. Here, you will be able to give a gift featuring the beautiful artwork of renowned Colorado Artist, Fern Forgie!

3 Wishes Mug , Country Morning Mousepad , Time to Leave Messenger Bag, Little Church Keepsake Box, plus more!

Some items are limited quantities, so don't wait, order today! http://www.hangingtreelodge.com/