We are opening up additional slots for Community Cookie Booth Weekend. If your troop has already signed up for a slot, you can now go back into ebudde and sign up for more time slots (maximum 3 time slots). The new rule will be "live" in about 1 hour.
We look forward to a great Community Cookie Booth Weekend! Just a reminder- CCB Weekend is March 19-20. Tell your friends and family about the weekend! They can go on littlebrownie.com and plug their zip code in the Cookie Locator to pull up booths in their area.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
These Service Units ROCK!!
I want to send a 'Shout Out' to the following Service Units who have increased cookie sales from last year:
Allendale
Rockford
Big Rapids
Cherry Valley
Flat River
Greater Montcalm
Hudsonville 30% increase!
Lakewood 46% increase!
North Kent
Portland
Zeeland
Fruitport
Hesperia
Mason
Oceana
Orchard View
Spring Lake
Holland
Atlanta/Hillman
Charlevoix
Kalkaska
Oscoda
Rogers City
WAY TO GO! For the rest of you- keep going! There is still time and we are with you all the way!! If you need assistance, contact your nearest Product Sales Manager.
Allendale
Rockford
Big Rapids
Cherry Valley
Flat River
Greater Montcalm
Hudsonville 30% increase!
Lakewood 46% increase!
North Kent
Portland
Zeeland
Fruitport
Hesperia
Mason
Oceana
Orchard View
Spring Lake
Holland
Atlanta/Hillman
Charlevoix
Kalkaska
Oscoda
Rogers City
WAY TO GO! For the rest of you- keep going! There is still time and we are with you all the way!! If you need assistance, contact your nearest Product Sales Manager.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Women's Expo - Adult 'Pudding Parfait Samplers' needed
Have you ever been to the Women's Expo downtown Grand Rapids? If not, it is a real treat! I attended last year and had a blast! There are tons of booths all catered to woman including: health and beauty, stores, services and my favorite- FOOD! I left with my belly full (along with purchasing jam from a local farmer and comfy wool socks from a clothing vendor). I still remember the GSMISTS booth - not because I worked here (because I didn't back then) but because I received a yummy Thin Mint Malt sample! I remember waiting in a very long line just to sample that tiny milk shake and every minute waiting was MORE than worth it!
This year, we are running a Pudding Parfait Girl Scout Cafe! Our troops are revved up to sell cookies and we have been booked up for a month. 1 snag- I have no adults to actually assemble and sample these perfect parfaits. Please help a girl out (me being the girl this time) and volunteer a few hours. The parfaits are very easy to assemble and the time will fly by! Not only that- but you will receive free admission to the expo.
If you've always wanted to attend the expo and feel good volunteering- here is a great opportunity. Please call me to schedule at 616-784-3341 x 142 or email: tmyers@gsmists.org.
Community Cookie Booth Weekend is LIVE!
Community Cookie Booth sites are on Ebudde and ready for you to sign up to get your spot! For those of you who are new like me- this is a GREAT and EASY way for troops to sell cookies. Our Product Sales Managers secured locations. You just pick your favorite location and 2 hour time slot and show up to sell! We provide the cookies on site to you. You earn $.65 per box!
We have some AWESOME locations this year all across the counties. Woodland Mall, Rivertown Mall, several Walmarts, Sams Clubs, Lowes, various Spartan Stores and several Movie Theatres! Don't miss out on a wonderful opportunity for your girls.
Just go on the Ebudde Booth Scheduler and take your pick today. The site went "live" at 8 AM this morning. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to let me know. We are here for you!
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
50 uses for Girl Scout Cookies
1. Whirl Thin Mints in a blender with ice cream and make yummy shakes
2. Top cake or ice cream with crumbled cookies.
3. Paint with shellac to use as drawer pulls.
4. Make minty sandwiches with cream frosting between two Thin Mints. Oh, my.
5. Use a cookie as a spare when Barbie’s Mustang convertible blows a tire.
6. Create a lovely stand for collectible figurines.
7. Use Thin Mints as a breath freshener.
8. Use cook- ies as “pepperoni” slices for dessert pizza. Hold the anchovies.
9. Have a cookie Frisbee contest.
10. Crumble for a refrigerator pie crust. Dulce de leche work very well.
11. Throw a couple of cookies at talkers in movie theaters. No wait, don’t waste the cookies.
12. Make a decadent sandwich with chocolate frosting between two Trefoils. Is it getting warm in here?
13. Give cookies as gifts to people you are trying to impress. Works every time.
14. Put cookies under a short table leg to stop a wobble.
15. Use as edible bookmarks.
16. Layer a sheet pan with crushed cookies for a bar cookie base.
17. Freeze one box of each variety for the hoarding frenzy at the turn of the next millennium.
18. Kick ‘em up a notch by dipping half of a Trefoil cookie in melted chocolate.
19. Add cookies to a time capsule.
20. Add crumbled cookies to any ice box pie recipe.
21. Hold onto a few boxes for the Antiques Roadshow 2099. Don’t break those seals! Mint condition Thin Mints will hold their value, and by then appraisers Leigh and Leslie Keno will both know how to tell a real box of Girl Scout cookies from an overpriced shameful reproduction.
22. Save some cookies to use as building materials for holiday gingerbread houses.
23. Bribe kids with cookies for some quiet or good behavior. Be prepared. This could require lots of cookies.
24. Make decadent party lemon tartlets by creating Lemon Chalet cookie crusts and topping with store-bought lemon curd. Dot each with a dab of whipped cream and back away quickly from the buffet tables.
25. Use boxes of cookies as “Tips” for the lawn service workers, maid, etc.
26. Keep on hand for emergency potluck dessert fare. Arrange on a nice platter of course!
27. Start a Random Act of Cookieness movement. Offer a cookie to everyone you meet.
28. Make dirt pudding for snacks by adding crushed, frozen Tagalongs to a vanilla pudding mixture. Gummi worms are optional.
29. Use cookies to teach kids how to count. One cookie, two cookies… whoops, just lost a cookie.
30. Make a bouquet by “gluing” wood sticks to cookies with royal icing.
31. Make icing faces on them and tell the neighbors you are taking in orphaned cookies. This ruse won’t last for long so be prepared for an intervention at some point.
32. Make Do-si-dos Cookie Pie by using pulverized cookies for the crumb crust.
33. Use cookies for edible checkers game pieces. You get to eat one every time you crown someone. This could lead to a mega-resurgence in the popularity of board games.
34. Make a mint mousse cake by adding crushed Thin Mints to a package mix.
35. The next time the car breaks down, forget the auto club. Spell out HELP on the windshield with cookies. Will folks stop? You can bet your Tagalongs they will!
36. Make a lemony chocolate mousse pie by creating a sweet-tart crust with ground Reduced-fat Lemon Pastry Cremes and melted butter. Use a boxed mix to make the chocolate filling and garnish with lemon twists.
37. Let the kids use cookies for play coins. If they play nice, they can eat them!
38. Let them drool over chocolate Thin Mint pizza supreme with a chocolate-chunk cookie dough “crust’” and a mixture of white chocolate morsels with crushed Thin Mint topping. Ice cream on the side is truly over the top, so pull the shades.
39. Serve Girl Scout cookies at Cub Scout camp outs. Cub Scouts sell popcorn, but it just isn’t the same, boys.
40. Think chocolate avalanche with chopped cookies pressed into melted chocolate. When it hardens, break into pieces and serve with ice cream.
41. Use a Thin Mint for an emergency sink stopper. Of course it won’t work, but at least you tried.
42. Make a PB&J sundae by topping vanilla ice cream with a few tablespoons of grape jelly and cover with crushed Do-si-Dos.
43. Use cookies as interview calling cards. You want them to remember you, don’t you?
44. Make a three-ingredient apple crisp by covering sliced apples with melted butter and crushed Do-si-Dos. Bake at 350F for about 30 minutes, or until crumbs are golden and apples are soft. Ice cream on the side? Of course.
45. Modify a Girl Scout Law: A Girl Scout is clean in thought, word, deed and cookie crumbs. Say it loud, say it proud.
46. Separate Do-si-Dos. Microwave half of a large marshmallow or 3 minimarshmallows on high power for 10 seconds. Put puffed marshmallows and a milk chocolate square on a cookie half. Replace top and serve.
47. Modify the Brownie promise to read: I promise to do my best to love God and my country, to help people every day, especially those without cookies. Warms the hungry heart, doesn’t it?
48. Add cookies to gift baskets for your foodie friends.
49. Make peanut butter balls by mixing crushed Tagalongs with melted butter, and roll in nuts.
50. Create a tabletop mosaic with cookies. Varnish or encase in plastic coating to create a family heirloom that will keep them talking for generations.
http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/features_food_blog/2011/02/50-uses-for-a-girl-scout-cookie.html
2. Top cake or ice cream with crumbled cookies.
3. Paint with shellac to use as drawer pulls.
4. Make minty sandwiches with cream frosting between two Thin Mints. Oh, my.
5. Use a cookie as a spare when Barbie’s Mustang convertible blows a tire.
6. Create a lovely stand for collectible figurines.
7. Use Thin Mints as a breath freshener.
8. Use cook- ies as “pepperoni” slices for dessert pizza. Hold the anchovies.
9. Have a cookie Frisbee contest.
10. Crumble for a refrigerator pie crust. Dulce de leche work very well.
11. Throw a couple of cookies at talkers in movie theaters. No wait, don’t waste the cookies.
12. Make a decadent sandwich with chocolate frosting between two Trefoils. Is it getting warm in here?
13. Give cookies as gifts to people you are trying to impress. Works every time.
14. Put cookies under a short table leg to stop a wobble.
15. Use as edible bookmarks.
16. Layer a sheet pan with crushed cookies for a bar cookie base.
17. Freeze one box of each variety for the hoarding frenzy at the turn of the next millennium.
18. Kick ‘em up a notch by dipping half of a Trefoil cookie in melted chocolate.
19. Add cookies to a time capsule.
20. Add crumbled cookies to any ice box pie recipe.
21. Hold onto a few boxes for the Antiques Roadshow 2099. Don’t break those seals! Mint condition Thin Mints will hold their value, and by then appraisers Leigh and Leslie Keno will both know how to tell a real box of Girl Scout cookies from an overpriced shameful reproduction.
22. Save some cookies to use as building materials for holiday gingerbread houses.
23. Bribe kids with cookies for some quiet or good behavior. Be prepared. This could require lots of cookies.
24. Make decadent party lemon tartlets by creating Lemon Chalet cookie crusts and topping with store-bought lemon curd. Dot each with a dab of whipped cream and back away quickly from the buffet tables.
25. Use boxes of cookies as “Tips” for the lawn service workers, maid, etc.
26. Keep on hand for emergency potluck dessert fare. Arrange on a nice platter of course!
27. Start a Random Act of Cookieness movement. Offer a cookie to everyone you meet.
28. Make dirt pudding for snacks by adding crushed, frozen Tagalongs to a vanilla pudding mixture. Gummi worms are optional.
29. Use cookies to teach kids how to count. One cookie, two cookies… whoops, just lost a cookie.
30. Make a bouquet by “gluing” wood sticks to cookies with royal icing.
31. Make icing faces on them and tell the neighbors you are taking in orphaned cookies. This ruse won’t last for long so be prepared for an intervention at some point.
32. Make Do-si-dos Cookie Pie by using pulverized cookies for the crumb crust.
33. Use cookies for edible checkers game pieces. You get to eat one every time you crown someone. This could lead to a mega-resurgence in the popularity of board games.
34. Make a mint mousse cake by adding crushed Thin Mints to a package mix.
35. The next time the car breaks down, forget the auto club. Spell out HELP on the windshield with cookies. Will folks stop? You can bet your Tagalongs they will!
36. Make a lemony chocolate mousse pie by creating a sweet-tart crust with ground Reduced-fat Lemon Pastry Cremes and melted butter. Use a boxed mix to make the chocolate filling and garnish with lemon twists.
37. Let the kids use cookies for play coins. If they play nice, they can eat them!
38. Let them drool over chocolate Thin Mint pizza supreme with a chocolate-chunk cookie dough “crust’” and a mixture of white chocolate morsels with crushed Thin Mint topping. Ice cream on the side is truly over the top, so pull the shades.
39. Serve Girl Scout cookies at Cub Scout camp outs. Cub Scouts sell popcorn, but it just isn’t the same, boys.
40. Think chocolate avalanche with chopped cookies pressed into melted chocolate. When it hardens, break into pieces and serve with ice cream.
41. Use a Thin Mint for an emergency sink stopper. Of course it won’t work, but at least you tried.
42. Make a PB&J sundae by topping vanilla ice cream with a few tablespoons of grape jelly and cover with crushed Do-si-Dos.
43. Use cookies as interview calling cards. You want them to remember you, don’t you?
44. Make a three-ingredient apple crisp by covering sliced apples with melted butter and crushed Do-si-Dos. Bake at 350F for about 30 minutes, or until crumbs are golden and apples are soft. Ice cream on the side? Of course.
45. Modify a Girl Scout Law: A Girl Scout is clean in thought, word, deed and cookie crumbs. Say it loud, say it proud.
46. Separate Do-si-Dos. Microwave half of a large marshmallow or 3 minimarshmallows on high power for 10 seconds. Put puffed marshmallows and a milk chocolate square on a cookie half. Replace top and serve.
47. Modify the Brownie promise to read: I promise to do my best to love God and my country, to help people every day, especially those without cookies. Warms the hungry heart, doesn’t it?
48. Add cookies to gift baskets for your foodie friends.
49. Make peanut butter balls by mixing crushed Tagalongs with melted butter, and roll in nuts.
50. Create a tabletop mosaic with cookies. Varnish or encase in plastic coating to create a family heirloom that will keep them talking for generations.
http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/features_food_blog/2011/02/50-uses-for-a-girl-scout-cookie.html
Beautiful weather+enthusiastic Girl Scouts = more cookies sold!
Hi Girl Scouts! The weather is BEAUTIFUL this week and perfect for you to get out in your neighborhoods and continue to sell Girl Scout cookies! I know you turned in your initial order already, but you can still sell! Pick up a new order card and continue selling cookies and earn incentives and cookie dough! Whatever orders you receive, you can pick up cookies at your nearest cookie station once cookies arrive.
Great job so far on the cookie sales!
Great job so far on the cookie sales!
Monday, February 7, 2011
Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore will continue offering all 8 varieties of cookies
Little Brownie Bakers is pleased to provide the following facts to clarify and, in some cases, correct information that recently appeared in a Wall Street Journal article, January 27th, regarding the Super Six pilot program.
Summary: Of 112 Girl Scout councils in the country, 12 Little Brownie councils have chosen to participate in a pilot program that focuses on the six top-selling cookie varieties. These councils are seeking new ways to drive efficiencies, ease and simplicity for everyone involved in the Cookie Program. The pilot project will be evaluated at the end of Cookie Season to see whether a more streamlined product line achieves these objectives. No decision has been made in any council, or by Little Brownie Bakers, regarding which cookie varieties will be offered in the future.
Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore is not part of this pilot program. We will continue to offer all eight varieties of cookies: Thank U Berry Munch, Dulce de Leche, and Thin Mints, Samoas®, Tagalongs®, Do-si-dos®, Trefoils, Lemon Chalet Cremes™.
Summary: Of 112 Girl Scout councils in the country, 12 Little Brownie councils have chosen to participate in a pilot program that focuses on the six top-selling cookie varieties. These councils are seeking new ways to drive efficiencies, ease and simplicity for everyone involved in the Cookie Program. The pilot project will be evaluated at the end of Cookie Season to see whether a more streamlined product line achieves these objectives. No decision has been made in any council, or by Little Brownie Bakers, regarding which cookie varieties will be offered in the future.
Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore is not part of this pilot program. We will continue to offer all eight varieties of cookies: Thank U Berry Munch, Dulce de Leche, and Thin Mints, Samoas®, Tagalongs®, Do-si-dos®, Trefoils, Lemon Chalet Cremes™.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Flavorful fun facts on America's Favorite Cookie: Thin Mints!
Who doesn't love to bite into a chocolately, refreshing minty Thin Mint? I sure do! Overall, America's favorite Girl Scout cookie has proven to be the Thin Mint. Suprised?
Did you know:
•Little Brownie bakes over 4,500,000 Thin Mints Girl Scout Cookies per day during peak baking times.
•After exiting the oven, Thin Mints travel 300 feet on a conveyer belt to cool before being coated in the chocolate
Here's an original recipe using Thin Mints~
Thin Mint Cheesecake Pops
Created by Chef Christopher Carey, Traverse City Golf and Country Club
Ingredients:
4 8oz packages of cream cheese (softened to room temp.)
1 2/3 cups granulated sugar
1/4 cup corn starch
1 T. pure vanilla paste
2 xlg eggs
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
1 sleeve Thin Mints Girl Scout Cookies
Directions:
In mixer, cream: cream cheese, cornstarch, sugar and vanilla until smooth and creamy. Add one egg at a time into mixture. Add heavy cream and mix until completely blended and smooth. Break Thin Mint cookies into large pieces and add to mixture. Pour batter into 1/2 sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350 for 35 minutes, or until firm at center. Lake cake cool on wire rack. Refrigerate cheesecake overnight. Using a small ice cream scoop, scoop small amount of cheesecake and mold into a ball. Place a candy sucker stick in center of each cheesecake ball and place on parchment paper and freeze for one hour. Temper coating chocolate over water in double boiiler. Remove from heat when chocolate is melted. Dip cheesecake on a stick into melted chocolate and place on parchment paper. Let chocolate cool and harden.
Yield 24 cheesecake pops.
Cookie Stations
Cookie Stations are available for those in outlying areas to pick up additional cookies. Please contact the person at each station to arrange for a pickup time. Happy selling, everyone!
Alpena County ~ In the shopping center at Chisholm and State Roads
135 N. State Street
Alpena, MI 49707
Contact: TBD
Alto/Caledonia
8479 Vincent Ave
Alto, MI 49302
Contact: Gayle Kraft, 616-891-1802
Bellaire ~ Bellaire Wesleyan Church
108 E. Cayuga
Bellaire, MI 49615-0250
Contact: Sally Ann Corner, 231-533-8751, sally_ann@charter.net
Big Rapids
420 Hutchinson St
Big Rapids, MI 49307
Contact: Nancy Pins, h: 231-592-5251, w:231-796-6138
Charlevoix ~ Your Service Plus
6643 Easter Wood
East Jordan, MI 49727
Contact: Michelle Nowka, c: 231-350-0751, h:231-536-2532, w:231-536-9668
Michelle@atyourserviceplus.com
Ludington ~ Ludington Little House
1024 Olmstead St
Ludington, MI 49431
Contact: Pam Huether, 231-843-4814, phuether@charter.net
GSMISTS Service Centers
Grand Rapids Service Center
3275 Walker Ave NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49544
Contact: Jered Michael, 616-784-3341 x 124, jmichael@gsmists.org
Muskegon Service Center
1217 E. River Rd
Muskegon, MI 49445
Contact: Sally Ellis, 231-744-4774 x 202, sellis@gsmists.org
Traverse City Service Center
1820 Oak Hollow Dr
Traverse City, MI 49686
Contact: Deb Lang, 231-947-7354 x 222, dlang@gsmists.org
Alpena County ~ In the shopping center at Chisholm and State Roads
135 N. State Street
Alpena, MI 49707
Contact: TBD
Alto/Caledonia
8479 Vincent Ave
Alto, MI 49302
Contact: Gayle Kraft, 616-891-1802
Bellaire ~ Bellaire Wesleyan Church
108 E. Cayuga
Bellaire, MI 49615-0250
Contact: Sally Ann Corner, 231-533-8751, sally_ann@charter.net
Big Rapids
420 Hutchinson St
Big Rapids, MI 49307
Contact: Nancy Pins, h: 231-592-5251, w:231-796-6138
Charlevoix ~ Your Service Plus
6643 Easter Wood
East Jordan, MI 49727
Contact: Michelle Nowka, c: 231-350-0751, h:231-536-2532, w:231-536-9668
Michelle@atyourserviceplus.com
Ludington ~ Ludington Little House
1024 Olmstead St
Ludington, MI 49431
Contact: Pam Huether, 231-843-4814, phuether@charter.net
GSMISTS Service Centers
Grand Rapids Service Center
3275 Walker Ave NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49544
Contact: Jered Michael, 616-784-3341 x 124, jmichael@gsmists.org
Muskegon Service Center
1217 E. River Rd
Muskegon, MI 49445
Contact: Sally Ellis, 231-744-4774 x 202, sellis@gsmists.org
Traverse City Service Center
1820 Oak Hollow Dr
Traverse City, MI 49686
Contact: Deb Lang, 231-947-7354 x 222, dlang@gsmists.org
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Ode to the Samoa!!
Samoas are my all time favorite Girl Scout cookie! I love these scrumptious caramel cookies SO MUCH that I am devoting an entire post to them.
Did you know---
*Samoas are cooked the old fashion way in copper kettles to 234 degrees.
*Little Brownie Bakers makes their own caramel for samoas.
*Samoas are the most popular cookie sold in our council, just beating out the Thin Mint (which is most popular overall).
Recipe:
In our Desserts Uncorked Cookbook- here is a recipe created by Chef Cheryl Andrews for:
SWEET SAMOA BAKLAVA
Ingredients:
1 16 oz phyllo dough
1 pound chopped walnuts
1 cup butter
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup honey
1 package crushed Samoas Girl Scout Cookies
Preheat oven to 350. Butter bottom and sides of 9 x 13 pan.
Mix nuts, cookies and cinnamon- set aside. Unroll thawed phyllo dough and cover with damp cloth while working with dough so it doesn't dry out. Place 2 sheets of dough in a pan and butter thoroughly. Repeat this step 3 more times. Then, on last layer, put 1/3 of the cookie/nut mixture, place 2 sheets dough over the mixture and butter, add the last of the cookie and nut mixture. Finish by placing 2 sheets of dough then butter making 8 layers.
Using a sharp knife, cut into diamond or square shapes all the way to bottom of pan. Bake for 50 minutes or until golden and crisp.
Make sauce while baklava is baking. Boil sugar and water until sugar is dissolved. Add vanilla and honey, simmer for about 20 minutes.
Remove baklava from oven and immediately spoon sauce over top. Let cool.
Oh YUM!! I am hungry as I type. On this snowy evening, I'm going to go home, use my frozen samoas from last year and make myself some sweet SAMOA BAKALAVA....aahh, pure bliss!
Expos Filled
Many of you have contacted me regarding cookie booths at the Expos in March. We are completely filled up. Of course- you can attend one of these expos to support Girl Scouts and to just plain have a fun time! The expos are: The Home & Garden Expo, March 3-6, The Women's Expo, March 11-13, and The Cottage and Lakefront Living Expo, March 25-27. All expos are held at the Devos Place, downtown Grand Rapids.
How are your cookie sales going so far? I have heard great reports of girls selling, selling, selling! Don't forget--- girls in other pathways can sell cookies-not just girls in troops. We want to encourage everyone to be involved in our cookie program.
How are your cookie sales going so far? I have heard great reports of girls selling, selling, selling! Don't forget--- girls in other pathways can sell cookies-not just girls in troops. We want to encourage everyone to be involved in our cookie program.
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