Made in the USA Blog

I’ll admit it – I’m an almond junkie. As a kid, I think it was chocolate bars with almonds in them that got me hooked initially. Now I’m addicted to the True Nut Company’s Maple-Roasted Almonds, available in six perfectly blended varieties – Original, Cinnamon, Coconut, Ginger, Basil, and Cayenne.

My customers ask me which one is my personal favorite. Made with just the right combination of pure maple sugar, sea salt, and all-natural flavorings, they’re all so good that I have to say every one of them is my top choice.

Let’s be honest, if you’re a dog lover, it’s nearly impossible to say no to those sad eyes, especially when you’re eating something right in front of your canine companion. But whatever you like to eat (e.g., BBQ potato chips for me) isn’t always the right thing to share with man’s best friend.

A Smart Alternative that Dogs Love

For many of us (including me), Halloween is a favorite holiday. 

Rich in history and folklore, Halloween has roots that trace back to the ancient Celts, who celebrated the new year on November 1. They believed that the souls of the dead returned to Earth the night before (Samhain). Later, Irish immigrants brought over customs and superstitions such as carved vegetables with a demon’s face to frighten away the spirits. Among other long-held beliefs and symbols from the 1700s and 1800s is the witch ball.

The foothills of the western Maine mountains overlooking the Kennebec River offer the ideal conditions for raising superior quality apples. This is where two generations of the Dimock family cultivate over 30 acres of trees on their farm named North Star Orchards. Using the ecologically sustainable techniques of integrated crop management, the Dimocks grow some of the finest apples in New England.

According to a recent National Pet Owners Survey, 62% of U.S. households own a pet, which equates to 72.9 millions homes. Those households account for 86.4 million cats and 78.2 million dogs based on data gathered from the survey. Americans are expected to spend almost $51 billion on their pets this year, almost triple what they spent in 1994.

No wonder things that have to do with pets are popular items in my store.

"You can call me by any name; just don't call me late for dinner!"

An unusual-looking contraption with an equally odd-sounding name, the origins of the word “hod” are uncertain; however, I think it’s a translation for the term “workhorse.” Not necessarily a prize-winning beauty, but it reliably gets the job done day in, day out.