Change is Coming....

Well…a new chapter in my life will be here in the coming weeks. Juan and I are so excited about this new adventure and what new things we will discover together. I know I have posted a lot of info about “Urban Hobo (website coming REAL soon!) and it has taken me in a new direction in regards to my blogging.

I will be moving to a new blog within the week and hope you will “follow” me over to the new site. Although I am still a big believer of living simpler and “right-sizing” my life….I also wish to blog about local “Mom & Pop” haunts and great things to do locally and on a nationwide basis.

Of course I will be discussing my latest edible art creations and where Juan and I might be in the Southwest where you can visit with us and partake in some of our home baked goodies and eclectic art!

I wanted to take this time to express some of the things Juan and I have learned over the last 1 ½ years regarding... "putting what’s important in perspective". I’ve learned that it isn’t the quantity of “Stuff” you have accumulated over the years….It’s the quantity and quality of friendships you have built. It’s not about the “status” level you’ve climbed but about the time and ability you give to others in need. It’s not about wearing a huge banner saying “Look at me and what I am doing” but about being there for others and doing whatever you can without recognition. It’s about truly finding what really matters in your life…the love of a spouse and the love and time you spend with your family and close friends. For me…“right-sizing” (I know my favorite word of the day) my life has helped me enjoy the simpler things in life and enjoy my family and friends more.

I hope that some, or even one, of my blogs have helped you in some way. I have received many emails about changes you’ve made and how much happier you are. I am so glad to always hear from you and hope to receive more input in my new blog.

Next….What I’ve learned by right-sizing My Life

Caramel Dipping Sauce

As I continue my quest for building my repertoire of tasty goodies....I'm happy to report a new addition!


My quest to make the perfect caramel chew. If you recall, I made several attempts and FINALLY nailed it. I was so excited. Of course Juan was too as he was busy being my ever ready taste tester.

Now...I have created a wonderful caramel dipping sauce. Delish!

It's great to heat up (60-90 seconds) in the microwave or in a hot water bath. Or...setting up a fondue night and having the caramel sauce for dessert.

Slice up some green apples and what a tasty treat!

Next...will have some cool packaging put together soon to make this a beautiful hostess gift or thank you favor at any function.

Happy Valentine’s Day

Wow! It seems like yesterday I was putting up a Christmas tree! (I know I know time flies for me)
Now we have red and pink hearts decorating windows and storefronts…cookies, cupcakes and chocolate with “I Love You”, “Be Mine” or “Run Away with Me”.

For me…Valentine’s Day isn’t about the one day a year….it is about the other 364 days…. a reminder how lucky I am to have Juan in my life!

He is my best friend and I married him…of course if you ask him, he would say that I would have had a much L-O-N-G-E-R engagement and I should’ve said yes sooner etc. (wink wink smiley face)

Juan doesn’t have to worry about spending the outrageous cost for flowers or buy me another sparkly diamond…I really never was into that. A homemade card or dinner made at home is perfect for me.

Taking the time to do something special for your loved one can make up for any pricey gift or flowers.
So today I wish you and yours a wonderful Valentine’s Day and I hope it’s special. Especially if you live in a cozy 900 square foot home.

The Calm Before the Storm

Well....the weekend before Valentine'Day and Juan and I are slammed with cookie orders. (thank you all for purchasing)

Thank God I have a small house as it will take a short time to get it cleaned up and ready to Rock-N-Roll the kitchen in "sweet peanut buttery goodness"!!!!

Juan and I did get up early and headed out for a long bike ride. Have I mentioned how much I love bicycling? (wink wink smiley face)

So my calm...enjoying a long bike ride and some hot coffee....before my hectic weekend begins with baking.

However....I love doing this (baking and design) and can do it 24/7.

On a side note...anyone like chewy caramels, or caramel sauce? Well I am perfecting a recipe and hopefully it quill be a new addition to Urban Hobo.

Greatest "CLICKS" for January

In case you might’ve missed something in the month of January…Here are the top greatest “clicks” for the first month of the New Year!

Here they are;

How can I have an office in such a small space?

What to do…What to do

Roses are Red…Violets are Blue…
Trends for 2012

Top Hits for December

Always and Urban Hobo

Please feel free to contact me anytime. I love all your ideas and comments.

Shawn
Shawn@urban-hobo.com

I Am Addicted To Pinterest

Yup! I’ll say it again….”My name is Shawn and I am a Pinterest addict”. My iphone battery life?... Never had to worry about since I make calls, a couple of text messages and some internet browsing, always had plenty of battery life. NOW…I am running my battery out, forever searching for my charger and any available plug! I know I know! I’ve got a problem! (wink wink smiley face)

Pinterest is a Virtual Pinboard. It lets you organize and share all the beautiful things you find in your life. People use pinboards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and organize their favorite recipes. (Taken from ipad app)

What is so great about this social site is the ability to view anything YOU want based on categories and eliminate much of the “drama” one sees on facebook and other social media sites.

Based on categories…you can look up “DIY and Crafts” or “Men or Women’s Style” or “Stuff for the Home”…even a “Technology” category. So you can sift through what you want to see. The cool thing is it brings up pictures that you might find cool or interesting…OR….a delicious recipe or a great way to organize/build a work desk…OR a wonderful place to visit!

Bottom line…you can enjoy a variety of things, “repin” the ones you love to your pinboard, AND add your own stuff too!

Since Juan and I have started our “Urban Hobo”, we’ve had the opportunity to add some of our “Art” and “Artful Edibles online. It’s exciting to see when someone “likes” your picture and even better…when someone “repins” your stuff.

You can get great ideas, learn something new or just enjoy the beautiful scenery someone has captured on film!

So be sure you check it out..Pinterest. I’m sure if you follow me, I will be adding new stuff I find on my pinboard. Oooppps there goes my battery again. I guess I should get on my laptop. (wink wink smiley face)

Anyone else addicted to Pinterest? Have you found some neat ideas especially for storage or organization? Please write to me…I would love to hear! You can email me shawn@urban-hobo.com or post a comment either way, would love some input.

A great day...

Well...I'm happy to report that I had a great "Pre-Valentine's Event" selling our De-lish (sorry I made it up) Peanut Butter and White Chocolate Cookies on Wednesday.

People enjoyed the sampling and LOVED the bundle packs in the pretty pink and red hues. They also loved the hammered heart shaped tag with a cute sentiment such as "I Love You" or "Run Away With Me"

I was with a group of ladies and discussing the tags and personalizing them. I showed the example of the heart with the saying "Run Away With Me" and one gal said "How about just run away?" another gal piped up and said "How about drop dead?" the gals and I started laughing and I responded that I am happy to add any sentiment you'd like. Next thing I know we are creating crass poems with the start "Roses are red, violets are blue, I saw you cheating and now we're through!".

More chucking and giggling...however, any comments and thoughts from the customers are always appreciated.

Anyway...I received a lot of orders and excited to get started on my tags. THEN next weekend, I'll be busy baking away.

I was able to get some corporate orders for their clients/customers. Several Realtors and and Insurance Group.

If anyone is interested in purchasing a bindle pack for your Valentine and add a heart shaped tag...I'm happy to take orders. If you are seeking corporate gifts, happy to chat too.

Shawn
Shawn@urban-hobo.com

Roses are Red…Violets are Blue…

Roses are red….Violets are blue…We’ve got a great Valentine’s gift (for purchase) for you!
Wow!!!! It seems like yesterday we were enjoying the Christmas Holiday Cheer. Now we are just about to hit February 14th, Valentine’s Day. The annual commemoration celebrating love and affection between two people! (Awww)

I know it can be “Very Commercialized”… “Nothing says love like a diamond”…”Tell her you love her with a romantic dinner at this very expensive place”… Juan is pretty lucky in that sense. For me, being a couple and being my best friend is NOT about one day a year…it’s about the other 364 days of the year too. I much rather receive something sweet and simple as a handmade card or homemade anything. To me that comes from the heart!

In keeping with those same sentiments, Juan and I are making/baking/shaking away over the next couple of weeks for the Valentine holiday. We are creating our Urban Hobo bindle packs full of delicious cookies.
Bindle packs you ask? Bindle packs are a very big part of the Hobo life.  [A bindle pack is where hobos carried all their worldly possessions]

 Juan and I LOVE our product name “Urban Hobo”…URBAN for the love of city-close living and HOBO… for the true hobo held very high standards, values and ethics. If you saw our past post, "Urban Hobo Cookies are here”…I talked about the “Hobo Code” and how the hobo lived to a higher standard than the average traveler that lived on the streets.

We are in the process of creating our fun fabulous website filled with eclectic art and “artful” edibles. (wink wink smiley face) I’ll keep you posted and announce our launch date soon.

In the meantime…we are gearing up for the “heart filled” holiday and taking orders for our delectable cookies. You love peanut butter and white chocolate??/You’ll love these. AND they will come bundled in a bindle pack with your choice of kerchief. (Pink Paisley, light pink, white, shocking pink [not shown} and white)

Also we have created a heart tag with your choice of saying…1) I LOVE YOU… or 2) RUN AWAY WITH ME.

If you are interested in purchasing a hobo pack for your loved one, please contact me (listed below) with color choice of kerchief and tag and I can have it shipped to you quickly! The cost of a bindle pack is only $15.00 plus shipping. Your sweetheart will receive two dozen (sometimes we throw an extra cookie or two) in a bindle pack.

You can email me with some basic (kerchief color and tag preference) info and I will call you to get additional details. We do accept credit card payments (Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover)!



We have other colors and black & white too

 Contact me! I would love to fill an order or two!

Shawn Smith
shawn@urban-hobo.com
489-215-2329

Always an Urban Hobo!

Just a quick post to tell you (again and again and again) how much Juan and I LOVE bicycling.

What a great way to get around your neighborhood and patron your local businesses.

2012 is the year to give back to your community and shop local. Juan and I are doing our best to do so and we will continue to share our latest adventures and great finds.

Have a local business you'd like to share? Give me a shout...I'd be happy to share.

Shawn

Urban Hobos- Cruising the neighborhood

Juan and I in simplifying or rather right-sizing our lives, have decided to ride our bikes as much as possible AND patron local small business owners.

You want to help the economy? Shop and visit your local neighborhood shops, restaurants and businesses. Small business owners are the key to boosting the economy not always BIG corporate America.

A favorite of Juan's is Churn. It is right next to a wonderful eatery and awesome hangout, Windsor (same owners) and when you walk past the threshold you are walking back in time.

Remember, Zots, Pop Rocks, Jumbo Pixie Stix, Taffy and assortment of gum balls and jawbreakers??? Well they have it all.

Besides the "old school" candy, they have some awesome artisan ice cream. All you need is one scoop and you're hooked. Do you remember the old wooden paddle style spoons you used to get as a kid for your ice cream? Well that's how you eat at Churn.

They offer a great selection of cones including my favorite... A pretzel cone.

So if you live in the Phoenix metro area or planning to visit, check out Churn (www.churnaz.com)!