Sept 8th the first Sunday after Labor day is Grandparents Day!!
Hey I’m a grandparent and my grand babies are the most special kids on earth I know. I also understand that all grandparents feel this way about those sweet smelling and soft little babies and as they grow they are just a sweet and cuddly as ever, even if they don’t think so.
If you hadn't figured it out yet in this house we go by: Mimi and Pop Pop. 

The history of Grandparent's Day:  In 1970, Marian Lucille Herdon McQuade started the campaign to have a day to celebrate our grandparents. By 1973, the first Grandparent's Day was proclaimed by West Virginia Governor Arch Moore. McQuade and her team turned to the media to increase awareness. Finally, in 1978 congress passed legislation proclaiming the Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparent's Day. Since that time Grandparent's Day has been celebrated by millions all across the United States.


Fact:The month of September was chosen to signify the “autumn years” of life.
The official flower of Grandparents Day is the "Forget me Knot"


National Grandparent's Day is a day to honor our grandparents. Our Grandparent's hold the secrets to our family heritage. They are full of wisdom, strength and guidance; all you have to do is listen. They give us special memories of our childhood and wonderful stories of what it was like for them we they were our age. Celebrate this day with your grandparent's and a gift that expresses your admiration.

Premium Gift Tray

A fun collection of sweets and treats. Gummy Bears, Deluxe Mixed Nuts, Candy Grapefruit, Chocolate Raisins, Caramel Raspberry Popcorn, Assorted Chocolati Wedges, Macadamia Nuts, Tropical Dried Fruit and Orange Biscotti.

Vanilla Essence Candle Gift Basket

Classic and traditional the warm scent of Vanilla soothes your senses while it's aroma fills the air with its relaxing properties. The traditional design and classic scent of this gift is sheer delight. Filled to overflowing with the sweet scent of vanilla this exclusive gift is sure to be a big hit and is perfect for almost any occasion. "Vanilla potpourri 2 vanilla drawer sachets Vanilla wax melts vanilla pillar candle 6 pc set vanilla votives glass votive holder vanilla jar candle vanilla room spray vanilla diffuser with reed sticks vanilla tea lite candles 6 piece set 10"" dark stain tray with fabric bow

Sparkling Lavender

"Relax and Enjoy." Show her you care by sending a special treat! It includes: A bottle of sparkling raspberry cider, lavender shower gel, body lotion, moisturizing body butter, and luxuriating bath bar. Also included are English toffee, tea, Almond Roca, and Lacey's cookies. What a great way to say you care. 

The first three baskets would be great for that special Grand mother.

 Here this basket would be my favorite to give to a wonderful set of grandparents. 

Take-A-Break Java Giant 

You deserve a break today - with the Take-a-Break gift basket. Know people who can’t live without their coffee? Give them a real eye-opener with this clever, giant cup filled to overflowing with fine coffee and carefully selected companions. 

Basket includes Coffee Cup/w Saucer, Honey Stained Basket 8x4, Torn Ranch Milk Chocolate Cappuccino Bar 2oz, Torn Ranch Dark and White Chocolate Espresso Beans 2oz, Espresso Shortbread Cookies 2.5oz, Jamocha Almond Fudge Premium Coffee 1.5 oz, Delicae' Gourmet Hazelnut Coffee Jelly 2.5oz, Gourmet Chocolate Chip Cookies 6oz, and Fairwinds French Vanilla Coffee 2oz 

OR

Delightful Gourmet

This assortment of delightful edibles is perfect for sending someone best wishes, congratulations, birthday greetings or thinking of you wishes. Packed full of gourmet select items such as Bellagio gourmet flavored coffees, our favorite gourmet cheese spread and cheese knife with peppercorn crackers and water crackers, Kasilof smoke salmon, jar of gourmet stuffed olives, salted pistachios and a cutting board for serving all these items on. Also included for the sweet tooth is a selection of Fancy Kernels gourmet caramel popcorn and butter toffee pretzels. These items are all hand packed into a keepsake woodchip basket with leather handles and matching bow!

Now here are three great gifts for just that Grand Pop, you know we can't forget them on this special day!! 

NASCAR 
$54.99
"And the Race is On" to answer the door when the NASCAR Lovers gift basket arrives bursting at the seams with gifts of fun and good taste for the NASCAR lover! A History book of stock car racing will entertain your NASCAR aficionado when he can't bet at the races, and the goodies will treat him as he reads. Send the NASCAR Lovers gift basket to your favorite racing fan.

10 Pack Ice Chest/Cooler
NASCAR Themed Pistachios
Cooler Cup (to keep drinks cold)
Hot Tamales Racing Themed Candies
A History of Stock Car Racing - 150 page book of information about racing
Tomato Basil Crackers
Wolfe's Deluxe Party and Snack Mix
Longhorn Cheese 


Executive Truck - LG and Md

$62.99 or $49.99
For the antique buff or the truck fanatic, this is the perfect gift for the man in your life. A beautiful solid wood antique truck carries a load of sweet and savory goodies that can be enjoyed at home or at the office. After the goodies have been devoured, the lovely truck remains to grace the gentleman's desk or mantel. You're sure to please when you select this man's gift basket.

15" Solid Wood Stake Antique Truck
"You're A Winner" Theme Bag with Fruit Gems
Brent and Sam's chocolate chip cookies 1.9 oz
Gourmet Treats Caramels
2 oz Tavloare Snack Mix
Chocolate Coconut Delights
Gourmet Coffee
1/2 oz Stone Wheat Crackers
6.1 oz Fudge Filled Cookies
2 oz Summer Sausage
Grained Mustard


Gourmet Desk Caddy 
$69.99
For the desk at work or the desk at home, every man will be proud to display this desk caddy long after the goodies inside have been devoured. Sweet and savory snacks will ease the tension of the work day while the solid wood chest graces the office decor. 

10 by 5 by 6 Wood Chest
Dolcetto Cream Filled pastry cookies 4.4 oz
2 oz sliced summer sausage
Gourmet Coffee
Bite Size Brownies
Three pepper crackers
Port Salut Cheese
4 oz chocolate fudge popcorn
Double Mocha Chocolate Truffles

Honor your Grandparent's with a gift of love and spend time together. Grandparents are full of strength and wisdom, and are the key to your family heritage. Creating a family tree is a way to learn where you came from and going through old photographs noting names and dates is a way to preserve your family history. Grandparent's love telling stories of what it was like growing up in the good ol' days and sharing these stories with their grandchildren is all part of the grandparent experience.
Handmade gifts from the grandchild are the type of gifts that grandparents seem to love the most. No matter what the gift, a gift given with the love of a grandchild will be special.
Our grand babies are now 4 and 3.5, they grow way too fast as you all know. Pop Pop and myself want to let everyone know that we love our grand children and their families very much!
Please, feel free to brag on your own grand kids in the comment section, We love the hear all the great stories!
Always Martha
www.mimis.labellabaskets.com

I have quite a few friends that are Jewish in faith; I do not always remember when their holidays are it is sad to say.

I have found a few kosher gift baskets in our La Bella Baskets stores and of course all our fruit boxes are kosher as well.

With seeing them in my store I decided it was time to make a list of the Jewish Holidays coming up for the rest of the year. The one Holiday we all know about the best is Chanukah, partly because it fall right near Christmas.

I thought it would be nice to give just a little information about the September Judaica Holidays for all of us who have good friends that do observe these holidays. I hope that my info on these sacred holidays is as accurate as I can be. I’m working off information from the internet. Please forgive me if this info is not perfect.

There are a few Judaica Holidays all throughout September this year like;

 Rosh Hashanah, sun down on the 4th thru the 6th at dusk I do believe. "Head of the Year", and is commonly known as the Jewish New Year.  Rosh Hashanah traditions include Sounding of the Shofar (ram's horn which is blown like a trumpet), lighting candles (just before sundown on the first night, immediately after sundown on the second night), Apples dipped in honey (honey is a symbol for having a sweet year), pomegranates, beets, leeks, green beans, squash.

According to tradition, it is believed that God opens his book of life and observes his creatures, deciding their fate for the following year. This holiday is considered to be a solemn and holy occasion because of the judgment that is taking place during this time.

 Also in September, Yom Kippur, and Simchat Torah, just to name a few. Then Chanukah (Festival of Lights) starting November 28th thru December 5th

Yom Kippur or the "Day of Atonement” is the most important and sacred of Jewish Holidays; it is a day when the Jews consider themselves closest to God.

Traditions associated with Yom Kippur include girls and their mothers lighting candles and reciting blessings, asking for and giving of honey cakes, ritual bath (Mikvah), fasting and prayer.

Simchat Torah: Day of celebrating the Torah, Sept 27th.

Most of our fruit gift boxes and baskets are kosher. Visit my store to see all our fruit baskets. (There is also a blog on the fruit Baskets here). You may also click on a fruit photo to go directly to ordering.
www.mimis.labellabaskets.com

Kosher Certified Snacks Gift Basket

For your Kosher friends and family members, here's the new Kosher Snacks Gift Basket. 
Kosher Certified Seal On Basket

Carefully selected to adhere to the personal snacking requirements of your Kosher friends, this thoughtful gift basket will show how much you care. Whether you want to say thank you, get well, or I'm sorry, this gift will say it with great care and great taste! Send the Kosher Snacks Gift Basket to someone you love today!

Boston Fruit Boxes
Jelly Belly Asst Jelly Beans 20 Flavor Mini Box
4 asst Ghirardelli Chocolate Squares
Walkers Shortbread Cookies
Walkers Chocolate Chip Cookies
Pretzel Pete's Peanut Butter Filled Pretzels
Bellagio Raspberry Cocoa
Belagio White Chocolate Cappuccino
Chocolate Fudge
2-Stone Wheat Thin Crackers
14" Natural Wicker Basket

The Kosher Certified Gourmet Gift

The Kosher Gourmet Gift Basket delivers all your favorite kosher sweets, treats and traditions in a beautiful 16 inch dark stained basket. Goodies galore will tempt the taste buds of your kosher friends, while strictly adhering to their dietary requirements. Show them how much you care by sending the Kosher Gourmet Gift Basket.

Kosher Certified Seal on Basket

16" Dark Stain Basket
Mixed Dried Fruit
Buckley's Buttery Almond Toffee
Bellagio Chocolate Cream cocoa
Fairwinds French Vanilla Coffee
Alaska Smoked Salmon Fillet
8.5 Asst Chocolate Truffles
2-Stone Wheat Crackers
Golden Walnut Fudge Filled Shortbread Cookies
Bellagio Cappuccino
Rye Bread Loaf


Many Blessings to all during the holidays that are coming up. May you live a  sweet life this year!
Shalom!
Martha

I know that I have discussed some of our fruit baskets, but I wanted to share more on the goodness of these baskets and boxes.

Fruit, health conscious, good for you, vitamins,  all of these phrases you hear when people are trying to feel better about themselves, workout and get healthier. Maybe just need to feel better personally or maybe a health scare helped to make the decision, whatever the case eating healthier is a good thing, most "good for you foods" taste really good too. I do not know many people to turn down a fragrant smelling orange or strawberries, pineapple or in the fall a ripe red apple,  would you? Hefty handful of nuts is great protein very heart healthy. Fresh crisp salad, I know I wouldn't turn down any of these healthy choices.  
Getting more to the point, La Bella Baskets has some beautiful fruit and nut baskets around. Sorry that crisp salad will have to be bought at a farmers market near you.

Now I have about 15 wonderful fresh fruit boxes and baskets some with nuts and some with cheeses, jams and relishes, also dried fruit too. So let go over these beautiful smelling and colorful baskets.
These baskets come from  California.
The first three are our baskets, chock-a-block full of goodness and maybe a little sweet treat too!


Grand Goodness
A lovely basket for a lovely price! The Grand Goodness is brimming with the season’s best pears, apples and citrus as well as Sweet ‘n Hot Pepper and Onion Relish, Tomato and Basil Cheese, Mixed Nuts, Chocolate Covered Blueberries and Chocolate Covered Cherries. Grand indeed!

"3 Green D'Anjou Pears 
2 Red Delicious Apples 
4 Navel Oranges 
2 Granny Smith 1 Tomato and Basil Cheese - 6oz 
1 Chocolate Covered Cherry - 4oz 
1 Chocolate Covered Blueberry - 4oz 
1 Pineapple 
1 Sweet n' Hot Pepper and Onion Relish -8.75oz 
Fruit selections and basket style may vary by season." 
Shipping Weight 16 lb



Orchard Harvest
Overflowing with luscious fruit and gourmet delicacies, the Orchard Harvest is a signature Groves Goodness basket. With Chocolate Covered Cherries, Chocolate Covered Almonds, Tomato and Basil Cheese, Mixed Nuts, Sparkling Pear Cider, Chocolate Covered Blueberries, Honey Wheat Crackers, and Dried Fruit, this gift will truly express your best wishes and generosity.

"3 Green D'Anjou Pears 
2 Red/Columbia D'Anjou Pears 
2 Bosc Pears 
2 Fuji Apples 
1 Red Delicious Apple 
1 Granny Smith Apple 
1 Navel Orange 
2 Seckel Pears 
1 Pineapple 
1 Organic Lemonade - 10oz 
1 Cranberry Cheddar Cheese 
1 Crackers - 3.5oz 
1 Mixed Nuts - 4oz 
1 Chocolate Covered Cherries - 4oz 
1 Chocolate Covered Blueberries - 4oz 
1 chocolate Covered Almonds - 4oz
Fruit selections and basket style may vary by season."



Share the Health
Healthy wishes abound with this large array of fresh fruits and treats to share with the entire group. 
The basket is packed with crispy apples and pears, juicy oranges, cheese, cookies, focaccia crisps, Columbus salami, cheese straws, almonds, pistachios and Ghirardelli chocolate.

Simply Healthy Fruit Gift Box

Full of fresh fruit, dried fruit, and nuts, this gift is full of nutritious goodies! The gift box arrives with an assortment of yummy apples, oranges, pears, dried figs, dried plums, pistachios, and cashews. Tons of taste and it s good for you too!

The Simply Healthy Fruit Gift Box includes:
2 juicy Sunkist oranges
2 seasonal apples (Red Delicious, Fancy Gala, Cripps, Braeburn or Granny Smith)
2 sweet Bartlett or Packham Pears
Dried figs
Dried plums
Pistacios
Cashews

Fruitful Variety Pack Gift Box

An amazing assortment of delectable fruit, accompanied by scrumptious treats!

The Fruitful Variety Pack Gift Box includes:
Pink Lady or Gala apples
Sweet Sunkist oranges
Triple chocolate cookies
Almond baby bundt cake from Rowena's
Truly Fruit jelly candies
Caffeine-free fruit tea
Toffee-chocolate graham crackers
Double chocolate walnut brownies

Apples and Oranges, Oh My!

Crunchy Braeburn or Fuji apples and sweet Sunkist Oranges are both great for snacking at home or at work. Help someone enjoy a bunch of healthful snacks with this delicious fruit pairing!
The Apples and Oranges, Oh My! Fruit Gift Box includes:
6 seasonal apples (Red Delicious, Fancy Gala, Cripps, Braeburn, Granny Smith)
6 Sunkist oranges



A Sweet Pairing - Apples and Pears

A perfect pairing! 6 in season apples, and 6 in season pears. Sweet and juicy, nature's original healthful snack is delivered right to your door fresh from our orchards!
A Sweet Pairing: Apples and Pears gift box includes: 
6 in season apples
6 in season pears



A Fruitful Affair Gift Box
Reg, and Deluxe

This Fruitful Affair Fresh Fruit Box includes a blend of good wholesome fruit including 8 assorted seasonal apples, 8 Sunkist oranges, and 8 assorted seasonal pears. All packaged together to provide a tasty, colorful gift appropriate for nearly any occasion!

Includes:
8 assorted seasonal apples: (Red Delicious, Fancy Gala, Cripps, Braeburns, and Granny Smiths)
8 Sunkist oranges
8 assorted seasonal pears (Bosc, Packham, Bartletts, Or Asian Pears)
Deluxe box is the same just more goodness!
Includes:
12 assorted seasonal apples (Red Delicious, Fancy Gala, Cripps, Braeburns, and Granny Smith's)
12 Sunkist oranges
12 assorted seasonal pears (Bosc, Packham, Bartletts, or Asian Pears)

Classic Pairings Fruit and Snacks

Delectable fruit candies add a sweet note to this gift full of crunchy snacks! This sweet and fresh gift includes apples, pears, caramel popcorn with nuts, assorted nuts, and dried fruit with nut mix. A sure crowd pleaser for all!

Includes:
3 in season apples (Red Delicious or Extra Fancy Gala)
3 in season pears (D'Anjou or Bartlett)
Chocolate drizzled caramel popcorn
Deluxe nuts
Almonds
Cashews
Dried fruit
Truly Fruit soft jelly candies

Classic Selections Fruit and Cheese Gift Box

An explosion of our most popular fruits, this selection has it all. A classic 12 piece fruit basket with delicious snacks. Perfect for picnicking outside or snacking indoors, we accent it with colorful candies, and deliver it fresh to your special someone.

Includes:
4 juicy Sunkist oranges
4 seasonal apples (Red Delicious, Fancy Gala, Cripps, Braeburn or Granny Smith)
4 sweet pears (Bartlett or Packham)
Gouda cheese
Summer salami
3 pepper water crackers
Assorted chocolate truffles

Apple A Day Variety Gift Box

An assortment of seasonal, sweet and crunchy apples. Crisp and juicy, these apples are picked for perfection and will certainly delight any apple fan!
The Apple A Day Variety Gift Box includes: 1 Dozen assorted seasonal apples (Red Delicious, Fancy Gala, Cripps, Braeburns, and Granny Smith)



Citrus Fest- Orange Lovers

A dose of sunshine! Nature's best and tastiest supply of Vitamin C all year long. Breakfast, snack time, anytime! A citrus peeler is included so your gift recipient can jump right into eating and enjoying their citrus surprise!
The Citrus Fest Orange Lovers Gift Box includes:
8 juicy sweet Sunkist oranges
4 tangy red grapefruits
1 citrus peeler



Three of A Kind Fruit Trio Selection
You get the pick of traditional all time favorite fruits: juicy Sunkist oranges, seasonal apples and sweet Bartlett or Packham pears. Send the best in taste and quality with this delicious fruit gift box!

The Three Of A Kind Fruit Trio Selection includes:
3 juicy Sunkist oranges
3 seasonal apples (Red Delicious, Fancy Gala, Cripps, Braeburn or Granny Smith)
3 sweet Bartlett Or Packham pears 

Sweet Mix Fruit and Treats Gift Box

This gift includes something fun and festive for both fruit and sweet lovers alike. Washington Red Delicious apples, seasonal pears, Sunkist oranges, dried figs, and Truly Fruit jelly candies. Healthful treats and sweets for a scrumptious time!

The Sweet Mix Fruit and Treats Gift Box includes:
3 Washington Red Delicious apples
3 seasonal pears
3 Sunkist oranges
Dried figs
Truly Fruit jelly candies



**Important Shopping Note: Due to USDA or state-level Departments of Agriculture, some fruit items cannot be shipped to certain states. Please refer to the list below to guide you while shopping.

AZ-no fresh fruit shipping into AZ.
CA-no fresh citrus shipping into CA
FL-no citrus or mangos shipping into FL
ID-no apples or pears shipping into ID
LA-no citrus shipping into LA
OR-no citrus shipping into OR
TX-no citrus shipping into TX

All these amazing baskets and boxes has all this healthy food; oranges, pears, apples, nuts, jams, relishes.  A few goodies like chocolate and breads sprinkled in with the fruits with such a sweet aroma that will fill your room when opened, that’s sure to make your mouth water!!

Please visit my store of more specialty baskets for all occasions, you will not be diappointed!ys Martha
www.mimis.labellabaskets.com

There are 8 gift tower set, boxes from 2 to 5 tiers high, each box loaded with goodness! All wrapped up in elegant ribbon and bows. From chocolate to nuts and all the yummyness in between.
Priced from $49. To $149.

Grand and Glorious (pictured above)
This gift will definitely make a grand impression with four overflowing boxes filled with gourmet treats. We have carefully arranged a bag of Ghirardelli chocolate squares along with cashew roca, lemon almond biscotti cookies, smoked almonds, flatbread crackers, and more!

It s a tower of pink boxes representing an awareness around breast cancer. Our pink boxes are filled with our freshly baked cookie assortment. 
This tower is a special gift for anyone weather a cancer survivor or someone struggling with cancer or family. This can show them your support for their challenges they faced or are facing!

These four towers are the tallest, and what a grand entrance they do make! I can imagine these beautiful towers as a center piece to a grand buffet, surrounded with candles and flowers. Food of all kinds to be devoured by your friends and family or co-workers at a posh holiday celebration!


Chocolate Gold Mine
If it’s chocolate they love, your recipients will strike gold with our tower of sweet goodies. Each box contains a different cocoa-covered treat.
Includes: Chocolate Toffee (24 pcs) Ghirardelli Chocolate Squares (12 pcs) Chocolate Caramel Popcorn Chocolate.


Fleur de Lys Tower
An enduring symbol used by noblemen and aristocrats, this black, gold and silver combination of colors shows a great sense of style and elegance.

Contents 5 Tier: An assortment of Harry London’s delectable milk and dark chocolate Cookie Joys, individually wrapped all natural and no Trans fat coffee infused candy, Belgian milk and white chocolate drenched pretzels with cookie crunch topping, milk chocolate and vanilla drizzled caramel popcorn and Danish butter cookies in collector tin.


The Sweet Suite
An absolutely gorgeous stunning wooden leather box collection is an upscale presentation of goodies including hand rolled European style truffles, fancy dried fruit, California colossal pistachios, Mashuga Cinnamon Spiced Pecans, Asiago Cheese Shortbread, Cabernet Chocolate Biscotti and Chardonnay Nut Biscotti. 


Tailored Tower 5  (pictured below)
This 5 Tier Tower is Cleverly clad in black and white houndstooth with coordinating classic black, this gift is definitely on the “Best Dressed List”. Smart and tailored and perfect for either gender! 

Contents 5 Tier: An assortment of Harry London’s delectable milk and dark chocolate Cookie Joys, cherry bites, Belgian milk and white chocolate drenched pretzels with black and red nonpareils topping, milk chocolate and vanilla drizzled caramel popcorn and Danish butter cookies in collector tin. 

These last three towers might be smaller but they still pack a good punch of flavor and pizzazz!



Savory Selections
This unique two tier tower is filled to the brim with quality snacks including aged Asiago cheese crackers, smoky almonds, California colossal pistachios and Asian spiced pecans.

Simple Delight Tower
Tantalizing fruits, gleaming with gold look almost good enough to eat. 
Contents 3 Tier: An assortment of Harry London’s delectable milk and dark chocolate Cookie Joys, Belgian milk and white chocolate drenched pretzels with toffee crunch topping, chocolate drizzled caramel popcorn and Danish butter cookies in collector tin. 

Tailored Tower
Cleverly clad in black and white hounds-tooth with coordinating classic black, this gift is definitely on the “Best Dressed List”. Smart and tailored and perfect for either gender! Contents 3 Tier: An assortment of Harry London’s delectable milk and dark chocolate Cookie Joys, Belgian milk and white chocolate drenched pretzels with black and red nonpareils topping, chocolate drizzled caramel popcorn and Danish butter cookies in collector tin.


You can click on any of the large pictures in this blog and go directly to the store to buy. These are great gifts anytime of the year but I especially like these around holidays.
Feel free to check out the rest of the towers and all the other beautiful gift at my store at: www.mimis.labellabaskets.com

Lid Lites Soy Candles

Thirty eight different scents, all beautiful in color, and poured to order. What does that mean? When you order your candle it is poured that day and sent out to you. Yes nice and fresh, scents that last as long as the candle does. Other candles might have been sitting on a shelf for who knows how long, the fragrance can dissipate the longer it sits on a shelf.

These candles are fresh poured the fragrance is bright and will last the length of the candle. Oops did I already say that!

La Bella Baskets signature Lid Lites jar candle features a second candle in the lid! 
Our candles are made with environmentally friendly soy blend wax and special ingredients to help prevent your rich candle color from fading. They are highly fragranced from top to bottom so that the last burn is as strong as the first. They are also made with lead free wicks and eco safe dyes. 

These candles are 24 oz. jar candles, with a 4 oz. lid candle.  The burn time 180-210 hrs.

From the lighter scent of Chamomile Rain (pictured at top) or Fresh Linen to the warming scent of Warm Apple Strudel to a more robust fragrance of Peppermint Bark, (granted I have never smelled peppermint bark before just sounds robust).

       Eleven new bouquets of flowers arriving in our store tomorrow! So excited, new color, new looks ready for fall and beyond. 
       They are very bright and vibrant,  keeping your home bright and cheery throughout the fall season. 
Hey you men out there I can't think of one women I know who would not love to get any of these beautifully colored bouquets! 
      What mother, sister, BFF, grandmother, aunt, cousin would not be impressed with a gorgeous bunch of flowers.         The smile that these flowers bring to their face would be priceless! 
      There is a bouquet that would fit or brighten any decor of any room in the house. 
How could you resist bring a ray of sunshine into any lady's life? Also remember that each purchase of flowers or any item helps give back to our Basket of Smiles program.
Visit my store tomorrow and see for yourself.
www.mimis.labellabaskets.com
Always Martha

No post yesterday because I was celebrating my husband’s birthday. We had a quiet day with grand children off visiting others until the evening. So I made a home made from scratch chocolate cake with an orange glaze, yummy very most and the orange complimented the chocolate.
My grand kids will get some later today! 
The grandkids and their moms and dads got hubby a travel coffee mug, [pictured]. Steak for dinner, and a few cards.  That is it, quiet day watching a few movies and relaxing. 
Well now what to blog about let me see? In nine days now it will be my birthday, [never mind how old I am]. Let's just say I am old enough to know better, doesn’t mean I do better just know what I should do!
I will probably have a semi quiet day enjoying my day. One thing we have always practiced in our family is that birthday’s are special, and you don't have to do anything unless you want to. [Exception was when the kids were in school you must go to school if your days falls on a school day].
On the 30th of August [my birthday] it is National Toasted Marshmallow Day. Wow who came up with that idea? 
My grand kids love toasting marshmallows, so guest what we might be doing on my birthday. 
I'm sorry to say but not one of the amazing baskets I have for sale have marshmallows in them. However there are a few baskets for grilling, and grilling can be done around a camp fire I suppose. Camp fire us what my babies call it when we roast marshmallows.   Grill out and get a little help from one of the grilling baskets I offer.

Bud Time Barbecue Gift Set - LG

It's Bud Time somewhere isn't it?.A truly unique gift of great taste and fun this galvanized tub makes a great barbecue beverage holder while the delicious variety of barbecue treats is sure to please.

Budweiser Hot Wing Sauce
Budweiser Barbecue Sauce
3 Pepper Water Crackers
Smokey Cheddar cheese stick
Hickory Cheese Stick
Beer Nuts
Pimento Stuffed Olives
Hot Jalapeno Chips 16 oz bag
BBQ Made Easy fully illustrated book
4 oz Sweet N Hot braising mustard
Sliced smoked sausage
BBQ Hand Towel (Assorted designs)
BBQ Hot Pad Set (assorted designs)
14" galvanized tub

Master of The Grill

A barbeque blast for the master of your grill! Make a family affair of this gift basket for your favorite man…or turn it into a romantic moment for two. But be sure to gift the man in your life with this gourmet barbeque treat filled with all the trimmings of an outdoor feast! His summer won't be the same without it! Gift him with the opportunity to demonstrate his mastery of the grill. 

Grill Classics Barbeque Sauce
Uncle Rays Barbeque Chips
BBQ Party Snack Mix
Grill Creations Marinade Mix
Classic Italian Marinade
Hot pepper Cheese Round
Wisconsin Smokey Cheddar Cheese Round
Snyder's Pretzels
2 BBQ Utensils
2 Gourmet BBQ Recipe Cards for Beef
Watson Street Dijon Marinade Mustard
Hampton Farms Salty Peanuts in the Shell
Wooden Slicing/Cutting Board
Wicker Tray 

Jim and Jack Together At Last Grilling Gift Basket

Two true classics together at last. Jim Beam and Jack Daniels have teamed up in this delicious assortment of grilling goodness. The delectable sauces and marinades will add zest to any steak or chicken cook out. Even those who don't drink will love the zesty flavor of Jim's rich salsa and creamy fudge.

Red Gloss Basket
Jack Daniels Barbecue Sauce
Jack Daniels Marinade mix
Jack Daniels Horseradish Sauce
Jack Daniels Sweet-N-Hot Mustard
Southern Comfort Gourmet Coffee
Jack Daniels coffee
Jim Beam Original Beef Jerky
Jim Beam Medium Salsa
Pretzel Rods
3 Pepper Water Crackers
Chocolate chip cookies cookies
Buffalo Bills Tortilla Strips
Chocolate Fudge popcorn
Smokey cheddar cheese triangle 
Claey's old Fashioned Fudge 
Peanut butter Filled Pretzel Nuggets 
Grillin hot pad sets (Assorted Styles)

Let's enjoy each day of the rest of summer! Play hard and grill harder! Love your family and savor every day you have with them. 
Don't work too hard, hope you all love what you do like I do! If not, ask me about what makes me so excited for each day! 
Always Martha

August is a special time for our family. Two birthdays my husband and mine, and my oldest daughter's anniversary, all within 10 days! 
My daughter got married on the 25th of the month it was beautiful of course. My husband’s big day is the 20th and mine is the 30th. We enjoy celebrating our birthdays on the sane day used to be the 25th, but not anymore. So we celebrate it sometime between the w
20th and 30th. In our fifties now our celebration is a cake and some good food with family especially with the grand kids.
Can you tell I can't get enough of those toddlers [babies]. They are the light in my life and work. God put me right were I needed to in their lives, being able to care for them so their parents could be able to work and get back on their feet. 
Now with that happening, we are celebrating our birthdays this year as the last ones that we will be caring for them. Bitter sweet, yes, I will see them very often and we will still celebrate most birthdays together. See we are moving back to our home area in Myrtle Beach and this will allow us to work on our retiring savings and for the babies to get used to not having us around 24/7. 
Well off the subject again, let us get back to birthdays, a time for laughter and family. With the aroma of cake baking in the over, smell of cocoa in the air from the home-made icing. That is all I need, just that sweet sugary smell, funny cards, and family around us!
There are plenty if birthdays around, young ones, over the hill ones and all those in between. We have a birthday basket or cookie bouquet for all ages!
Let's take a window shopping e-xcursion of what you might like for that special friend or family.
 
This first basket in the mix is pictured at the top of this page!
A Happy Birthday
Hooray! It's their birthday. Send this adorable gift basket loaded with fun goodies. A charming bear holds a cupcake and adorns a party hat to celebrate the special day. English tea cookies, Jelly Belly beans and caramel popcorn will surely make a lasting impression.  $68.95
This gift comes wrapped with a personalized ribbon

A Special Birthday

To top it all off, for their birthday, give them a generous assortment of savory crackers, almonds, cheese straws, as well as sweet treats like rich Ghirardelli cocoa and Beth's chocolate chip cookies. This gift is sure to deliver the message of Happy Birthday.  $42.95
Of course for me, and any summer birthday the chocolate will be substituted for something that will not melt!

Beary Happy Birthday
This little bear in a gift basket comes to say "Have a Beary Happy Birthday!" He brings candy, chocolates, cookies and other birthday treats as well as a cake-slice candle to light on your special day! Send someone you love the Have a Beary Happy Birthday gift basket for their special day! 54.99

These next two gifts would be especially nice for that college student on their birthday as a care package, or any young girl too!

Birthday Care Package
The Birthday Care Package features a 12 inch singing birthday bear. The bear will greet your loved one with the birthday song while they discover all the treats and gifts inside. Make someone's birthday special with the Birthday Care Package!

8 inch Singing Birthday Bear 
Red Vines Licorice
Silly String
Happy Birthday Theme Bag with Starlight Mints
Pez Candy Dispenser
6 oz Gummy Bears
White Gloss Gift Box
Birthday Balloons Tissue Paper

Birthday Surprise Care Package
Make their birthday the biggest celebration of the year with our fabulous birthday surprise care package. Just for your birthday star we have included Jelly Belly jelly beans 20 flavor, Fudge brownies, Birthday candles and more.  34.99

Birthday Gift box (measures 6x6x6)
8 inch. teddy bear
Jelly Belly jelly beans
Happy Birthday Sour Balls
2 oz Crunchy Caramel corn
Happy Birthday Candle
3- Fudge brownies
Happy Birthday horn and noise maker
4 piece assorted cream center chocolates

These three birthday gift packs are great at the 20% off from the La Bella Baskets Savers Club Membership and the ship for FREE too!!

Birthday Party Pack
Need to throw a party? With this fun Birthday Party Pack we have included it all but the cake.

8 party horns, 8 paper hats, 30 Happy Birthday balloons (assorted bright colors), box of 36 mini candles (assorted colors), disposable table cover (52X72), 35mm disposable camera (27 exposures) and a 6 foot Happy Birthday banner to hang.

Also included for snacks is Fancy Kernels caramel popcorn, white yogurt dipped pretzels and two gourmet snack mixtures. Help celebrate their birthday with this fun Birthday Party Pack all wrapped in a wicker basket with matching ribbon.  $55.99 + FREE SHIPPING

 

Celebration!
This will be the perfect way to celebrate any occasion! This fabulous celebration gift is a complete collection of items to help celebrate with co-workers, friends and family. Complete with multi-colored balloons (30 pack), two party poppers, package of confetti (1oz), disposable camera (27 photos), champagne bottle candle, festive Focaccia snacks, jordan almonds, fancy kernels gourmet caramel popcorn, white yogurt covered pretzels, chewy toffee candies all hand packed in a multi-colored balloon and confetti box container wrapped with matching curling ribbons!  62.99 + FREE SHIPPING



Happy Birthday Surprise
Surprise them with this birthday gift they can use and will not forget! The wicker basket is hand packed with 30 Happy Birthday Balloons (assorted colors), 4 goody bags, 4 birthday blowers, 4 paper party hats and a 35mm disposable camera (27 exposure). Also included is chocolate mints, Palace Gourmet salted pistachios and white yogurt dipped pretzels. A matching bow completes this festive Happy Birthday Surprise party favor gift. Gift Size 8x8x12  47.99 + free shipping

Happy Birthday Surprise 7 Cookies

It's the perfect birthday treat to wish a friend, family member or co-worker a very Happy Birthday, filled with colorfully delicious present, cake and party hat shortbread cookies. Make it extra special with a personalized center cookie message that let's them know it was made especially for you!

7 Cookies  (can also get it in 5cookies)

Over the Hill Baskets and Packages are great there are four to choose from (only three listed here).


Don't Cry Over the Hill 
We have a sensational creation for your favorite birthday star celebrating that milestone year: our "Don't Cry" Over the Hill Birthday Kit! Sure to bring squeals and laughs of joy, this exclusive kit includes a fabric Over The Hill Hat, Over The Hill fun Filled fortune Cookies, an Over The Hill coupon book and more!

Black gloss gift box (measures 6x6x6)
Fabric Over The Hill hat
Over The Hill fortune cookies
Over The hill coffee mug
Over the Hill Coupon Book
Way Way Over The Hill chocolate mints
Over The Hill birthday candle
Chocolate chip cookies
2 oz caramel corn
Pretzel sticks



Older Than Dirt Over The Hill Care Package

Black gloss gift box (measures 6x6x6)
'Too Pooped to Pop' microwave popcorn
'Older than Dirt' birthday ribbon
'Way Way Over The Hill' chocolate mints
3 fudge brownies
Chocolate cream filled wafer cookies
Super confetti party popper
Mini R.I.P. tombstone
Over The Hill birthday candle

This fun gift package would be great for that older person or for the special someone who’s birthday is around Holloween!

Over the Hill Coffin
They're on their way out and your bound to let them know it with this hilarious "Over The Hill" coffin. Filled with unique over the hill themed items, this unique gift is sure to brighten or worsen their day. Is being over the hill a good thing?  39.99

Over the Hill Anti Aging Spray
Over the Hill Gray Rinsing Soap
Over the Hill Candy Filled Bottle
Over the Hill Coffee Mug Coffee
Over the Hill Prune Juice
Over the Hill Birthday Button
Coffin Gift Box

All of these great baskets and gift boxes can be 20% off with the La Bella Baskets Saver Club purchase!!!!
Please ask me about this great membership!!
Visit my store too! www.mimis.labellabaskets.com

Always Martha

I can say a lot, I love football, not many sports that I like to watch on TV but this is not one of them. All day Sunday, Sunday Night, Monday Night, I’ll watch them all if I have the chance. I will NOT miss my Steelers Games, that’s my team. Have loved the Pittsburg Steelers since I was little and will until I die!!! Obsessed could be a good way to describe me on a Sunday night Steelers game!! Must have my old Steelers jersey from when Stewart was playing, and my terrible towel. Steelers bedroom slippers and socks on too.

Yep that‘s me on a Sunday!!  The right snacks and drinks are in order of course. I do not drink beer (can’t stand the stuff) Coke sounds so much better with football. Pizza, chip & dip, nuts, cheese and a good summer sausage, pop corn, most snakes will do. On a really cold night must have chili!!

My husband and my youngest daughter Heather are also big Steelers fans, then we have the others, my oldest daughter Marina and Heather’s husband are really big Green Bay fans, what can I say. Green Bay is good (did I just say that) but they are not Steelers. We do have fun in this house during football season.  Super Bowl Party is the rule, not the exception in any of our homes, great family time almost like Christmas not quite.

Well this year we plan on having a basket or two from my store to help us eat our way through a good game.  There are so many baskets with great snack food in them and ones even football themed. This year I think we will start with those football baskets, just because.

All Star
A gift basket for the sporting man! Whether he's a baseball, football, tennis or soccer fan, this gift will make him smile. Overflowing with treats and presents for the participant or for the avid fan, you'll be the all-star when you give this basket! Whatever his sport, this basket will tickle his taste buds and tempt his tummy. We've included some toys for boys of all ages and an inspirational book to relax with when the action is over.

Football Fanatic Sports Gift Basket
Football Fanatics unite! This exclusive football gift basket is sure to please the most die hard football fan. Filled to the brim with delicious treats and football gifts this unique gift will delight all the football fanatics in your life.

Ceramic Sports mug
Ceramic football photo frame
Ceramic football desktop change holder
Football Foul Flag
Sports theme bag with deluxe snack mix
Chunky salsa
Roasted peanuts
Simply Grand sugar cookies
8 oz tortilla chips
1.5 oz white cheddar popcorn
3 oz summer sausage
16" gloss red basket

Man Skills Sports Gift Box
Man Skills abound in this sports gift box overflowing with tasty savory treats. The unique Man Skills book contains over 200 pages of hard to find facts and instructions every man should know: Like how to start a fire with two sticks, how to get water from a cactus and more. A fun filled book to read while devouring the savory treats.

Tailgate Party Time Gift Pail
Tailgate party! Do you have a weekend warrior on your gift giving list? This awesome tailgate party gift pail is the perfect gift for all the sports fanatics you know. Filled to overflowing with delicious snacks and fun filled treats, this gift is sure to impress everyone at the party.

Galvanized Pail
Mini Nerf Football
Chunky mild salsa
Sports fortune cookies
2 bottles Old time root beer
Fritos Honey Roasted peanuts
Fritos Salted Peanuts
Fritos Spicy Peanuts
Wolfes Snack Mix
Jack Links min Jerky bites
Jack Links Beef sticks
Buffalo Bills Tortilla Chips
2 pkg Movie Butter microwave popcorn




Manly Mans Sausage and Nut Tote
Your manly man will enjoy the truly manly snacks and gourmet treats in the Sausage and Nut Tote gift basket. Meats and cheeses galore and a variety of nuts will tempt his taste buds. The lovely wooden gift tote will last long after all the treats have disappeared. Send your manly man this Sausage and Nut Tote gift basket!

Wooden Gift Tote
2 Stone Wheat Crackers
Pepper Jack Cheese
Tomato Basil Cheese
Garlic Summer Sausage
Mesquite Summer Salami
Cashews
Honey Sweet Peanuts 2 oz.
Deluxe Mixed Nuts 4 oz.

Gotta have a great bottle of Coke!! YUMMY
Coke Pack

Nostalgia runs wild in the Coke Pack gift basket. The snacks America has loved for generations will take your special someone back to a simpler place and time. Classic Coke, childhood chocolate favorites, popcorn and Wrigley's gum will make you feel like a kid again. Make the day special with the Coke Pack gift basket.

3 Classic Cokes
Peanut M and M's
Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
Oreo Cookies
Nestle Crunch Bar
Microwave Popcorn
Wrigley's Gum

Today is Assistance Dog Day to recognize our dog friends that do so much for others, not just seeing eye, but disabled and hearing impaired humans as well use assistance dogs in their day to day lives.

Yet dogs are not the only assistances animals out there. Monkeys, horses and even pigs, cats and parrots can all be helping hands to humans

Dog and cats are favorite pets for us. Most people are either a dog or a cat person. I tend to be more dog, don't get me wrong I love cats too. Also love birds, snakes, lizards, horses, most animals I like. Bugs no, (and that is a whole other subject). 
Our pets are family they are engraved in our hearts, and when their time has come to move on over that bridge to life ever after. We cry, bury and morn for our beloved pet.

 Rightly so they give us so much unconditional love and campaign ship. Let me show you a few gifts we have to brighten up any dog spirit puppy or senior dog alike!

Patches Doggie Tower

What a great gift for that pet lover in your life. These adorable and stackable boxes sit on top of each other and make great storage for Fido's toys later. Each box is filled with new surprises and will delight your favorite pooch or pooch lover.

Paw Prints stacking box set
Doggie Shampoo
This Paw Print Plaster dog print kit
Doggie chew ball
2 Doggie Chew Toys
Doggie washing mitt or brush
Paw print box filled with beef flavored dog bones
Patches the Playful puppy

Paw Prints Doggie Care Package

A fantastic way to spoil the dog/cat in your life or their owner is with a fun and imaginative pet care package designed specifically for the pet lover. An adorable dog /cat paw print gift box comes loaded with toys and treats.

The Paw Prints Doggie / Cat Care Package includes: 

Doggie Shampoo
"This Paw Print" Plaster Dog Print Kit
Doggie Ball
Doggie Chew Toy
Doggie Washing Mitt Or Brush
Paw Print Box Filled W/Beef Flavored Dog Bones
Paw Prints Gift Box



Hey maybe as a group we can get our basket makers to make those cat baskets a little faster and maybe baskets for our other beloved pet.  Maybe treats for horses, rodents like hamsters, etc...How about our bird friends, maybe a basket full of toys and bird snacks and a nice food bowl, just a suggestion.

Had a thought while typing, our fruit baskets can be used for quite a few of our loved animal friends. Most farm animals, birds even our birds and reptilian friends too, even our rodent friends. I know because my grandson has a hamster, who loves her oranges and carrots. I don’t any horse that does not like a nice red apple as a treat. For that matter most farm pets would like a nice juicy apple.

Lets see how many would comment on this page, I will then send it to the people that work on our products and see what they can come up with. 
What do you say?
 So please add a comment to this blog thanks!
Always Martha