Eclecticity's Eclectic Blog

ChecKeR’s Email!!

ChecKeR — Sat, 21 Jul 2012 19:49:35 +0000

Hi Everybody! Hi! Hi!

Yer old pal ChecKeR! has gotten a lot of emails lately about all sorts of things. Like some guy, Fermat in Batavia, asked me to help him explain some math thing, which was easy enough, but I don’t have enough room in this section of the newsletter to demonstrate. At least that’s what I told him!

But, here’s the letter I really wanted to share with you.

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Dear Checker,

My wife and I are looking to buy our first house. How do we find the house that’s perfect for us?

Excited in Edgebrook

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Dear EiE,

I, Oh, Wow! I’m so happy for you! And I’m honored you turned to me for advice, because the way to find that perfect house is by house-hunting, and whenever you’re contemplating a hunt, it’s best that you talk to a dog about it. Here goes!

You chose a perfect time of year for house-hunting, mostly cuzza all the rain we’ve been getting, the foliage is lush and verdant. This comes in handy, because it allows for the first thing you need… camoflauge! Whenever you hunt, it’s important to don camoflauge.

Now, I don’t know what neighborhoods you’re looking in, but you want to dress in such a way as to *not* attract attention, so, like, in some neighborhoods, you might want to dress up like a bungalow, or a ranch house, or, if you’re going through a lot of different neighborhoods and you’re not sure which kind of house you want to dress as, you can just dress like a flowering shrub, cuz they’re everywhere, and that’s the advantage of house hunting, like, not in winter, where a flowering shrub would attract too much attention.

It’s good your wife is coming with you, cuz after you’ve snuck up on the house, the next step is to try to take it alive, and for that you’re going to need a really big net. Two, if there’s a detached garage. And, when you’re looking to take prey alive, you need a tranquilizer dart. My vet uses really big needles when I need a shot, but you might need something even bigger. I think it depends on the size of the house, and the masonry. Consult your vet for the proper equipment and dosage.

Finally, and I hate to say this, I would advise that you *not* take your dog with you. Under normal circumstances, we dogs are great for a hunt, and we sure do like the car ride to get to the quarry, but where dogs are most helpful (pointing, finding badgers, scaring up game, barking at squirrels, chasing rabbits, etc), is not suited to this type of hunt, any more than it is to job-hunting (where the camoflauge is much different). Besides, the game is plentiful, and barely moves an inch or two every hundred years, so you don’t really need to worry about a chase.

OK! OK! Now, when you’ve found that perfect house, drop me another email and I’ll talk you through financing options!

Yer pal,

ChecKeR!

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If you wanna write to me, I’m ChecKeR@eclec.com I love emails!

OK Bye!

ChecKeR!’s Tips on Staying Cool

ChecKeR — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 00:16:14 +0000

Hi Everybody! Hi! Hi!

Well, it sure is hot outside. Hot hot hot. And in weather like this, a lot of people have been complaining about how hard it is to stay cool. Well, as you know, I am a master of cool. So, as a public service, I thought I would fill you in on some tips so that you can be as cool as me this summer.

First, you’ve got to look the part. So, dressing up in doggy costumes is right out. Unless they’re leather. Leather is always cool. But, in this heat, it’s probably best not to look *that* cool… it leads to dehydration… and that leads to a trip to the vet… and that leads to shots and all SORTS of unpleasantness. So, do what ChecKeR! does… Go Naked! Or, wear a harness. Nothing’s cooler than a harness. Me, I combine them. When I’m at the store, I wear a harness. When I’m home, I’m naked. So are my smelly sisters. But, they’re not as cool as I am. Well. Who could be?

Next thing is to stay hydrated. And, of course, nothing says hydration like playing in the neighbors sprinkler system. There’s a reason why the classics *are* the classics after all! Some people like garden hoses, I’ve noticed… particularly when I’m playing in their sprinkler systems… naked… but I find that garden hoses lack that certain subtlety, that certain je ne sais quois that is the quintessence of coolness… that I have, for example, and that the neighbors, for whatever reason, do not.

Finally, make sure you make time to get out and smell the roses! But if you get close enough to smell them, they have these big stickly things that poke your nose. Stand tall! Be brave! Bark at those rose bushes really really loud. They won’t have the nerve to stick you twice. And if they do, you can always dig right at the base of them until they fall over. And then the neighbors come out with their hoses again to cool you off from all the exertion.

Remember, summer only comes around once a year. But, when you do it right, once is all you need!

OK, Bye!

Epicly Adorable Anne Taintor Matchboxes!

ashleigh — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 19:14:40 +0000

Hello!!

It is a super snowy day here in Chicago which always makes me want to curl up next a roaring fire. *sigh* And what better way to light a fire than with a witty little match from a witty litle matchbox?? Fortunately, we have just that at Eclecticity! Yay! Our matchboxes from Anne Taintor have super fun retro graphics along with awesomely witty little comments on them! The perfect *zing!* to add to any fire! Stop in soon!!

Happy New Year!!!

ashleigh — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 17:29:19 +0000

Hi Everyone!

I hope you’re having a fabulous start to your new year!! To help kick start your awesome 2011, all of our calendars are now 20% off! Yay! So come snag one of your own today before they run outta here!

Banana Bread from Callaway Gardens and The Midnight Sun Cocktail from The Midnight Sun- 1974

ashleigh — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 19:05:59 +0000

Hello Friends!

The holiday season sure is a busy one here at Eclecticity!! Please forgive the period of non-blogitivity that happened in the interim! But, we’re back now and ready for a new and exciting year!! Yay!

So, to kick things off and get us back on track, I found a super delish sounding and seemingly simple old timey recipe from one of our newest old cookbooks in our ever expanding cookbook collection! This one comes from Secrets from Atlanta’s Best Kitchens by Earlyne S. Levitas. It’s a fantastic cookbook composed of various recipes from the best eateries in and around Atlanta in 1974. Enjoy!

BANANA BREAD

You will need:

1/2 cup shortening

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

2 cups sifted flour

1 teaspoon soda

3 mashed bananas

1/2 cup chopped pecans

Mix together sugar and shortening. Add salt. Add beaten eggs and slowly stir in dry ingredients. Add mashed bananas and bake in a well-greased loaf pan for 45 minutes in an oven set at 325 degrees.

See? Simply delicious!

And since it’s almost the New Year, how about an amazing cocktail recipe?!

This one comes from the same book as the banana bread recipe but it comes to us from the bar at The Midnight Sun. Cheers!

THE MIDNIGHT SUN COCKTAIL

You will need:

1 oz. gin

1/4 oz. apricot brandy

1/4 oz. peach brandy

1/2 oz. cherry heering (Danish cherry brandy based liqueur)

2 oz. champagne

Shake gin and brandies together very well and pour in a chilled glass. Then add 2 oz. champagne, stir, and serve immediately.

And then make another one right away because they’re super scrumptious!!!

Fabulous New Year Greeting Cards!!

ashleigh — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 22:42:38 +0000

Check out our swingingly swell collection of New Year cards!! They’re pretty great if we do say so ourselves!!

Book Signing with Author Mark Earnest

Eclecticity — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 23:05:07 +0000

Hello Friends!!

Come on down to Eclecticity (4718 N. Lincoln Chicago, IL 60625) tomorrow afternoon from 1-3 pm to meet author Mark Earnest who will be on hand to sign copies of his fabulous novel The Delta Project in the newly added Holiday Room in the back of our store! All sales will benefit The Enterprising Kitchen, a wonderful non-profit organization that helps women in need become self-sufficient. A fantastic book, a fantastic organization, and a fantastic store, so come on in and say hi tomorrow!

Delicious Pumpkin Pie – 1931

ashleigh — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 21:29:12 +0000

: Coconut Dishes That Everybody Loves!

Hello All!

It’s November which means you’ll be eating plenty of pumpkin pies later on this month, but none will be as delicious as this one! And, if you need to bring a dessert to an office function or family gathering like we talked about yesterday, then this is definitely the pie you want to bring to showcase your awesomeness.

Taken from Coconut Dishes That Everybody Loves (1931). (It even says in the title that everybody will love this!!)

You will need:

1 unbaked pie shell

1 1/2 cups canned shredded coconut

2 cups cooked mashed pumpkin

1 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon mace

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon allspice

3 tablespoons butter, melted

3 eggs, slightly beaten

2 cups milk, scalded

Combine ingredients in order given and mix thoroughly. Pour into pie shell. Bake in hot oven (400 degrees Fahrenheit) for 15 minutes, then decrease heat to moderate (350 degrees Fahrenheit) and bake 30 minutes longer.

Pretty easy, no? Bear in mind these recipes come from vintage cookbooks so there are some old-fashioned techniques, (who knew pumpkin pies could be made without the canned stuff? Not this schmuck, that’s for sure!) but if our grandmothers could do this stuff, we sure as hell can, right? :/ As far as the coconut goes, you’d be best off making sure you use the canned stuff versus the flaked stuff since the canned coconut has more sweetness and moisture to it.

Also, if you do use canned pumpkin, don’t use a full 2 cups since there’s less water puree in canned pumpkin…probably more like 15 ounces would be better. But, mashing a pumpkin is easier than it sounds like it is. (Or am I the only one who think that sounds tough?? I mean, pumpkins are only for carving faces into and then roasting the seeds, right?) Find a sweet pumpkin (NOT the kind you carve at Halloween…a smaller, “pie” one…a 2 pounder should yield 2 or more cups), cut it in half, scoop out the seeds and stringy junk, place the halves face down in a roasting pan with a cup of water in the bottom, and cook for 60-90 minutes. Then pull it out, let it cool, scoop out the remaining cooked pumpkin and throw it in a bowl and mash it! Totally easier than it sounds…

And, last but not least, the mace spice. No, do NOT just spritz some of that pepper spray you have to guard yourself on the walk home from the train at night…unless you want your loved ones to choke to death. No bueno. DO use ground mace from your local grocer’s store (I had no idea it came in non-pepper spray form either). The bonus is, if the cookbook is wrong and everybody doesn’t love this pie, you can just throw some of that leftover mace in your pepper spray and then we’ll see who doesn’t like your pie, eh? But, they’ll love it so you won’t have to resort to that.

Pineapple Sweet Potatoes and Artichoke Hearts Riviera- 1973

Eclecticity — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 22:21:57 +0000

: Amazing illustrations from The American Heart Association Cookbook

Hello!

Looks like it’s that time of year again, folks…time to gather around the dinner table with our nearest and dearest and gossip about everyone else whilst simultaneously stuffing ourselves silly! Ah, The Holidays. So joyous. And, if you’re anything like me, you probably get routinely stuck having to bring a side dish or dessert because you’re not trustworthy enough to do the main course just because you once burned macaroni noodles. (I was 12…when will they ever let it go?!) Bringing the side dishes is like being picked last for dodgeball. I myself could live off of nothing but side dishes, but let’s face it…everyone’s looking at the main dish, not the boring side of yams. But, not to fret, my friends! With the help of the following side dish recipes, you’ll be able to show off your awesome culinary skills, your family and friends will be fighting over the last remaining bits, and you’ll shine through as the star that you are! Victory!

Both recipes are taken from The American Heart Association Cookbook (1973).

Pineapple Sweet Potatoes

You will need:

4 medium sweet potatoes, unpeeled (about 1 pound)

1/4 cup pineapple juice

2 tablespoons oil

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon chopped pineapple

pinch each cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice

1 tablespoon molasses

1 teaspoon margarine

Preheat oven to 425 degrees Farenheit. Boil potatoes until tender (about 30 minutes), and remove skins. Mash pulp. Add the fruit juice, oil and salt and whip until fluffy. Add chopped pineapple and spices. Turn into an oiled 1-quart baking dish. Spread molasses over the top, dot with the margarine, and bake uncovered until lightly browned. Makes 4-6 servings

Artichoke Hearts Riviera

You will need:

1 10-ounce packages frozen artichoke hearts

1/2 cup dry vermouth

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 clove garlic, crushed

1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon dried tarragon

1 tablespoon chopped parsley

1/2 cup margarine

Cook artichoke hearts as directed in package. Drain. Combine vermouth, lemon juice, garlic, seasonings and margarine in a saucepan. Cover and simmer 5 minutes. Pour over cooked artichoke hearts. Garnish with chopped parsley. Makes 6 servings.

Zen-ticity

ashleigh — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 19:50:19 +0000

Sooo relaxing

Namaste Friends!

Ever have a day that just stresses you out to the max? You have a bazillion things to do, meals to make, AND the holidays are lurking just around the corner meaning you have even MORE stuff to do?? Yikes! Well, never fear, dear friends! We have many helpful and relaxing things here at Eclecticity (a.k.a Zen-ticity!): soothingly delightful Shoyeido incense in a variety of scents, a multitude of oil diffusers as well as a fantastic array of aromatherapy oils, and so much more! So, take a deep breath, head on over, and get ready to Zen yourself through this holiday season. See you soon!