“The phoenix flies far ahead to the front, always scanning the landscape and distant space.  It represents our capacity for vision; for collecting sensory information about our environment and the events unfolding within it. The phoenix inspires great excitement and inspiration.”  The Feng Shui Handbook, feng shui Master Lam Kam Chuen. 

The phoenix is a mythical creature, but one that creates such an image in my mind.  I imagine that in each of us there is a small phoenix; a part of us that is not satisfied with the status quo, a part always looking ahead for a new vision.  You probably have similar thoughts, just not relating to mythical creatures.  If you set a goal and work diligently to achieve that goal, are you then satisfied to sit and say, “Now, I am done, I have accomplished my goal.”?  No, most would say, “Now, I am done, I must set a new goal.”  So you “scan the landscape and distant space”, “collecting sensory information” about your environment and the events unfolding within it and you have a vision of a new goal.  With “great excitement and inspiration” you move forward, taking the necessary action steps to attain completion.  

 If you have ever read my blog postings, you are probably sitting there reading and thinking, “Has Cindy been drinking???”  Ha.  Nope, but I wanted to preface my comments and announcements with something thought provoking, since I always hope that each of us continues to grow and prosper and flourish no matter the circumstances of our lives.  And now, without further ado, my announcements:  1.  According to Wikipedia, a blog (an abridgment of the term web log) is a website, usually maintained by an individual, with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. As of December 2007, blog search engine Technorati was tracking more than 112 million blogs.  Homemade Gourmet® started its own blog in an attempt to create an additional sense of community between Home Office, distributors and customers.  Between Tami, Karen, Janet and myself, we were able to share a dialog with you on our community and the issues of meal time challenges, foods we like and dislike, great new recipes, helping others and helping ourselves.  Personally, the blog was a wonderful opportunity to learn from and about each of you who posted.   

  Remember, the whole phoenix discussion above (yes, I am tying it together, FINALLY)?  The blog has been good, but it was a goal that was accomplished and we are not satisfied to sit back and say, “Now it is done.”  As we take a look at technology, we want to offer you the very best tool that provides you more than a place to read my most humorous postings, but a more interactive and advanced tool to help you in your business, your family life and your own meal time challenges.  The staff will be working with experts in the field to redesign, upgrade and uplift our blog.  Until that Power Up occurs, the blog will Power Down.  This will be our last blog posting and the blog will disappear on June 1st.  Thank you for everyone who read the blog and contributed.   2.  And finally, I too, will be Powering Down.  As of May 17th, I have asked to be changed from full time employee of Homemade Gourmet to providing occasional contract work for the company.  With all of the busy-ness of the last year, I am going to slow down for a while and spend some quality time with my family.  I was blessed with opportunities to work on various projects and with some great distributors during my time as a staff member.  I am so grateful for all those who have touched my life.  I will be scanning the horizon, searching for my next, new vision.  I wasn’t looking for Homemade Gourmet when God showed me the business opportunity in July of 2003, nor was I expecting to become a part of the wonderful staff.  I would still love to hear of your successes and if you are so inclined, my personal email is cindypirtle@yahoo.com.  I wish each of you a calendar filled with homeshows, a team filled with awesome distributors, a list filled with Homemade Gourmet Preferred customers and, of course, a freezer filled with 4 meals in 4 minutes™.  My love and best wishes to you all. - Cindy 

A short post, but had to tell everyone that we had some company drop in last night after dinner.  I didn’t have any dessert made, which is odd, because normally there is something sweet.  This is so sad to admit, but while I did have canned pie filling, I did not have one Texas Cobbler or Apple Crisp Mix.  NOT ONE!  I really like the cheesecake to set for a while AND I didn’t have a graham cracker crust (cut me a little slack, I haven’t been to the grocery store in over a week!)  I had ONE (boy, I am really sad, aren’t I???) Double Chocolate Brownie Mix.  By the time everyone had made themselves a cup of coffee and we had the kids settled down to play, I had the brownies in the oven.  Our friends went on and on about how wonderful these brownies were (of course, a big dollop of vanilla ice cream doesn’t hurt, does it??).

I know, I know, bad timing.  Because of the summer months, Homemade Gourmet will stop shipping mixes that contain chocolate chips to avoid the melting that always occurs.  Better stock up!  You never know when unexpected company will drop in and need a Brownie fix!

Chocolate dreams to you all - Cindy